Patent Description:
Peg hooks or display hooks are commonly used in retail stores for displaying merchandise. Several identical items can be hung on a single hook to display such items for sale. This display method has several advantages, including allowing continuous viewing of the item. When the front item is removed from the hook, the next item becomes visible. Such hook displays are advantageous because they can be adapted to various display configurations as the hooks can be moved around by the merchant on a supporting peg board wall as desired. One disadvantage of such hooks however is that they allow thieves to easily take as many items from the hooks as they wish in a very short period of time. The taking of many or all of the in-stock items of a particular product by thieves (commonly referred to as "sweeping") is a major problem in the retail industry.

It is known to provide a support rod of a merchandise display hook which supports high risk merchandise with a series of S bends adjacent the free end of the support to prevent a shoplifter from easily "sweeping" all of the items off the display hook. Further, it is known to provide the display hook with a locking device configured to be positioned on the support rod between the free end of the rod and the forwardmost item of merchandise. An anti-sweep locking device often requires a special key and assistance from sales personnel in order to allow a purchaser to take an item supported on the hook. S bends adjacent the free end of the display hook can make it difficult for potential customers to remove items from the display hook and may dissuade potential customers from removing products held on such hooks. A mechanical time delay mechanism adjacent the free end of the support rod can increase the time required to dispense each item of merchandise from the display hook.

<CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose prior art locking mechanisms.

The invention is defined in independent claim <NUM> below, to which reference should now be made.

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected configurations and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a merchandise dispenser <NUM> with a coil actuation is employed for use in a retail store environment to dispense merchandise. The apparatus comprises a housing or chassis <NUM> including a front wall <NUM>, a rear wall <NUM>, and a top wall <NUM>. In some implementations, at least some of the wall panels of the housing <NUM> can be made out of a transparent material, such as a known type of plastic. This allows for easy visibility of merchandise which is supported in the housing. The merchandise may comprise one or more packages. The packages can be located adjacent the front wall <NUM> of the housing so as to be readily accessible by potential customers. The dispenser <NUM> includes a support rod <NUM> around which is disposed a helical coil <NUM>. Both the rod <NUM> and the coil <NUM> can be aligned along a common axis <NUM>. The helical coil <NUM> includes a series of spiraling coil sections <NUM> extending longitudinally along the axis <NUM>. The housing <NUM> can be mounted on a peg board or like support device by one or more L-shaped fingers <NUM>.

A distal end <NUM> of the rod <NUM> is engaged with the rear panel <NUM> and is mounted thereto. In some implementations, the distal end <NUM> can be L-shaped so that it can be welded to the rear panel <NUM> if the support rod and at least the rear wall panel <NUM> are made of a metal. Alternatively, the distal end <NUM> of the rod <NUM> may be secured in a slot (not shown) in the rear panel <NUM>. The rod <NUM> extends forwardly from the rear panel <NUM> and terminates at a free end <NUM> which is located near the front panel <NUM>. In some implementations, the free end <NUM> of the rod <NUM> is angled upwardly so as to retard merchandise from falling off the rod <NUM> until it is pushed off the free end <NUM> of the rod <NUM> by the rotation of the coil <NUM>. An actuator <NUM> is rotatably mounted to the front panel <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> is connected to a proximal end of the coil <NUM> so that rotation of a portion of the actuator <NUM> rotates the coil <NUM> about the common axis <NUM>, as discussed in greater detail below. The actuator <NUM> may include an outer knob section <NUM>, an inner knob section or actuator part <NUM> (<FIG>), a housing <NUM>, and a time delay mechanism <NUM> (<FIG>).

As illustrated in <FIG>, the outer knob section <NUM> may comprise a front wall <NUM> and a skirt <NUM> depending therefrom. In some implementations, a set of spaced grooves <NUM> are defined in at least the skirt <NUM> so as to enable an easier grasping and rotation of the knob by a shopper. With reference now also to <FIG>, a hollow cylindrical member or shaft <NUM> extends in a rearwardly oriented direction centrally from a rear face of the front wall <NUM>. An axial hole <NUM> is defined in the hollow cylindrical shaft <NUM>. In this way, a free end of a product dispensing coil (such as coil <NUM> shown in <FIG>) can be fixedly and non-rotatably attached to the outer knob section <NUM>. A generally circular flange or protrusion <NUM> extends rearwardly from the rear face of the front wall <NUM>. It is noted that a pair of notches <NUM> are defined in the inner wall of the generally circular flange at two generally opposite locations. In those locations, the inner surface of the flange is not circular and those portions of the inner surface extend tangentially from the remainder of the generally circular inner surface of the flange, thus creating a pair of ratcheting notches <NUM>. The flange <NUM> is located radially inwardly of the skirt <NUM> so as to define an annular space <NUM>. Located in the annular space are a series of spaced reinforcing elements or ribs <NUM>. The flange <NUM> is located radially outwardly of the shaft <NUM> so as to define a second annular space <NUM>. The outer knob section <NUM> includes a plurality of teeth <NUM> defined in the skirt <NUM> or disposed adjacent to the skirt <NUM>. For example, the teeth <NUM> may be disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the skirt <NUM>. The teeth <NUM> may be angled or slanted to selectively permit rotation of the outer knob section <NUM> in the clockwise direction (from the perspective shown in <FIG>) and to selectively inhibit rotation of the outer knob section <NUM> in the counterclockwise direction (from the perspective shown in <FIG>), as will be described in more detail below.

The inner knob section or actuator part <NUM> may be mounted on the shaft <NUM>. With reference again to <FIG>, the inner part <NUM> comprises a base wall <NUM>. An outer generally circular flange or protrusion <NUM> extends forwardly from the base wall <NUM>. It is noted that a pair of openings <NUM> are defined in the flange <NUM> at one location. In those locations, a pair of ratcheting flanges <NUM> extend tangentially outwardly from the remainder of the flange and are not connected to the base wall <NUM>. Thus, the flanges <NUM> are relatively flexible in relation to the remainder of the inner knob section <NUM>. Also extending forwardly from the base wall <NUM> is an inner circular flange <NUM>. Thus, an annular space <NUM> is defined between the outer generally circular flange <NUM> and the inner circular flange <NUM>. A plurality of spaced ribs or reinforcing elements <NUM> are located in the annular space <NUM>.

Extending through the base wall <NUM> and located inwardly of the inner circular flange is a central opening <NUM> which can best be seen in <FIG>. The shaft <NUM> extends into the central opening <NUM> as may be best seen in <FIG>. The generally circular flange <NUM> of the inner knob section <NUM> extends into the second annular space <NUM> of the outer knob <NUM>, with the outer surface of the generally circular flange <NUM> engaging the inner surface of the generally circular flange <NUM>. When the outer knob <NUM> is rotated in one direction relative to the inner knob <NUM>, the disconnected tangential portions of the flanges <NUM> engage with the notches <NUM> of the outer knob causing the outer and inner knob sections <NUM>, <NUM> to rotate together as if they were a single component. When the outer knob <NUM> is rotated relative to the inner knob <NUM> in the opposite direction, the disconnected tangential portions of the flanges <NUM> flex and do not engage notches <NUM> causing the outer knob to rotate independently of the inner knob.

With reference now to <FIG>, extending rearwardly from the rear face of the base wall <NUM> is a protrusion <NUM> that is located near an outer periphery of the base wall <NUM>. Extending rearwardly from the rear face of the base wall <NUM> is a centrally located tube section <NUM> which has a generally hexagonal outer periphery. The tube section <NUM> is mounted on a rounded tubular section <NUM> supported centrally on the rear face of the base wall <NUM>. Defined in the base wall are a pair of slots <NUM> which are aligned with the flange portions <NUM> of the outer generally circular flange <NUM> causing the flange portions <NUM> to be disconnected from the base wall <NUM>.

With reference again to <FIG>, the housing <NUM>, on which the knob assembly (e.g., the outer knob section <NUM> and/or the inner knob section <NUM>) is mounted may comprise a housing front half <NUM> and a housing rear half <NUM>. The housing front half <NUM> may include a base wall <NUM>. Defined in the base wall <NUM> may be an annular recessed area <NUM> and extending from the base wall <NUM> may be a raised area <NUM>. Extending radially inwardly from the recessed annular area <NUM> may be an annular plateau <NUM>. Defined near an upper end of the raised area <NUM> may be a window opening <NUM>. Located in the annular recessed area <NUM> may be a cut out or slot <NUM>. A central opening <NUM> may extend through the front wall <NUM> and may be circumscribed by the annular plateau <NUM>. It should be apparent from <FIG> that the shaft <NUM> and tube section <NUM> extend through the central opening <NUM>.

With reference now again to <FIG>, the housing front half <NUM> may further include a recessed housing area <NUM>. Extending axially rearwardly from a rear surface of the base wall <NUM> may be a pin <NUM>. The pin <NUM> may be centrally positioned in the recessed housing area <NUM>. Further defined on the rear side of the housing front half <NUM> may be a generally toroidal raised area <NUM>. The raised area <NUM> may include an upper cutout section <NUM>. The upper cutout section <NUM> may be located in the area of, or otherwise aligned with, the slot <NUM> in the base wall <NUM>. Thus, while the recessed housing area <NUM> is completely circular, the upper cutout section <NUM> of the generally toroidal raised area <NUM> may define in part the circular shape of the recessed housing area <NUM>, or otherwise allow the recessed housing area <NUM> to be circular. The raised area <NUM> may include a catch <NUM> and a guard <NUM> each extending from a surface of the raised area <NUM> and a slot <NUM> defined in the raised area <NUM>. The raised area <NUM> may include a lower cutout section <NUM> defined in a periphery of the raised area <NUM>. It should also be apparent that the window or opening <NUM> may be located in the recessed housing area <NUM> of the base wall <NUM>.

Located radially inwardly of the raised area <NUM> is an annular recessed area <NUM>. A ring-shaped or toroidal flange <NUM> may extend rearwardly from the base wall <NUM> such that the annular recessed area <NUM> is defined between the ring-shaped flange <NUM> and the raised area <NUM>. Extending rearwardly from the base wall <NUM> may be a skirt <NUM>. A series of bosses <NUM> may also extend rearwardly from the front wall <NUM>. The bosses <NUM> may be located adjacent the skirt <NUM>. In some implementations, four such bosses <NUM> are illustrated. <FIG> illustrates that the actuator knob inner part <NUM> mates with the contoured wall section <NUM> of the housing front half <NUM> so that the base <NUM> and hexagonal tube section <NUM> of the actuator knob inner part <NUM> extend through the central opening <NUM> of the housing front half <NUM>.

With reference now again to <FIG>, cooperating with the housing front half <NUM> is the housing rear half <NUM>. The housing rear half <NUM> may comprise a base wall <NUM> on which is defined an upper recessed area <NUM> circumscribed by a generally circular rib <NUM>, thus defining an annular space <NUM>. A central protrusion <NUM> may extend forwardly from the wall <NUM>. An opening or slot <NUM> may be defined at one location in the rib <NUM>.

Also defined in the rear wall <NUM> is a lower recessed area <NUM> including an annular section <NUM> and a raised ring-shaped central plateau <NUM>. A ratchet surface <NUM> is defined on an outer wall of the recessed area <NUM>. In some implementations, several such ratchet surfaces <NUM>, for example, four, can be defined on the outer face of the wall defining the annular section <NUM>. Extending through the rear wall <NUM> is a central opening <NUM>. It should be appreciated from <FIG> that the central opening <NUM> may be aligned with the central opening <NUM> located in the housing front half <NUM>. Defined in the rear wall <NUM> may be a recess <NUM> adjacent to the lower recessed area <NUM>. For example, the recess <NUM> may open into, or otherwise be in fluid communication with, the lower recessed area <NUM>. The housing rear half <NUM> may also include a skirt <NUM> and a set of sockets <NUM>. It should be appreciated that the sockets <NUM> are designed to mate with the bosses <NUM> extending from the housing front half <NUM>. Thus, the housing halves <NUM>, <NUM> can be secured to each other in any known manner, such as via the use of fasteners or adhesives, as is known in the art.

The time delay mechanism <NUM> may be supported within a cavity <NUM> (<FIG>) defined by the housing front and rear halves <NUM> and <NUM> and may include a first gear <NUM> (e.g., a central gear), a second gear <NUM>, a load spring <NUM>, a rotary damper <NUM>, and a signaling wheel <NUM>. The first gear <NUM> may include a base wall <NUM> extending forwardly from which is a ring section <NUM>. Defined on an outer surface <NUM> of the ring section <NUM> may be a plurality of aligned teeth <NUM>. The first gear <NUM> may also include a relatively large curved section <NUM> located between a pair of the teeth <NUM>. Importantly, the curved section <NUM> has no teeth. A diameter of the curved section <NUM> may equal a diameter of a root 261of the teeth <NUM>, e.g., the outer surface <NUM> of the ring section <NUM>. An inner surface <NUM> of the ring <NUM> may include a plurality of spaced flat sections <NUM> so as to define a hexagonally shaped inner periphery for the ring. The hexagonally shaped outer surface of the tube section <NUM> may be sized and shaped to mate with the hexagonally shaped inner surface <NUM> of the ring <NUM>. Thus, the first gear <NUM> may be fixedly engaged with the actuator knob inner part <NUM> so that rotation of the actuator knob inner part <NUM> will cause a rotation of the first gear <NUM> about an axis A1.

With reference now again to <FIG>, a skirt <NUM> may depend from the base wall <NUM>. Defined in the skirt <NUM> may be one or more ratchet members or protrusions <NUM>. In some implementations, the skirt <NUM> may define one planar protrusion <NUM>. The ratchet member <NUM> of the first gear <NUM> may be adapted to cooperate with the ratchet surface <NUM> defined on the housing rear half <NUM>.

As is evident from <FIG>, the load spring <NUM> may be disposed in the annular space <NUM> defined in the housing rear half <NUM> such that a distal end of the spring extends through the opening <NUM> in the circular rib section <NUM>. A front end or proximal end <NUM> of the spring may cooperate with, or otherwise engage, the second gear <NUM>.

The second gear <NUM> may include a plurality of spaced gear teeth <NUM> extending axially from a rim <NUM>. Defined in one radial section of the second gear <NUM> is a curved surface <NUM> where no teeth are present. Thus, only a portion of the rim contains the gear teeth <NUM>.

With reference again to <FIG>, depending from a rear surface of the second gear <NUM> is a protrusion <NUM>. Defined in the rear surface are a pair of openings <NUM> which are spaced from the protrusion <NUM>. It should be appreciated that the spring proximal end <NUM> is meant to be accommodated in one of the openings <NUM> defined in the second gear <NUM>. Also defined in the second gear is a central opening <NUM>.

With reference again to <FIG>, the rim <NUM> may extend around, or otherwise define, a recess <NUM> within the second gear <NUM>. There is provided radially within the rim <NUM> and the recess <NUM> a recessed hexagonally shaped area <NUM>. The rim <NUM> may further define an opening <NUM> connected to the recess <NUM>. Connected to the second gear is the rotary damper <NUM>. The rotary damper includes a hexagonal base wall <NUM> which is meant to be engaged by the recessed hexagonal area <NUM> in the second gear. A circular raised area or protrusion <NUM> of the rotary damper <NUM> is accommodated in the second gear central opening <NUM>. Depending from the raised circular area <NUM> is a stem <NUM>. With reference again to <FIG>, it can be seen that the stem <NUM> of the rotary damper <NUM> is accommodated in a bore <NUM> of the central protrusion <NUM> located on the housing rear half <NUM>. Thus, the rotary damper and, hence, the second gear <NUM> in which the rotary damper <NUM> is accommodated are coupled to each other and rotate about the stem <NUM> which is rotationally mounted on the rear housing half <NUM>. In an alternate implementation, it should be appreciated that the rotary damper <NUM>, the housing rear half <NUM>, the second gear <NUM>, and/or the signaling wheel <NUM> could be formed as one single component from a suitable plastic such as by molding.

The time delay mechanism <NUM> also comprises the signaling wheel <NUM> that is non-rotatably attached to the second gear <NUM>. The wheel includes a front face having a semicircular recessed area <NUM>. Also provided is a central bore <NUM> that is spaced from the recessed area <NUM>. The central bore <NUM> cooperates with the pin <NUM> depending from the housing front half <NUM> such that the signaling wheel <NUM> and the second gear <NUM> are rotatably mounted on the front housing half <NUM> via the pin <NUM> and the stem <NUM> for rotation about an axis A2. The signaling wheel <NUM> may be disposed within the recess <NUM> of the second gear <NUM> such that the recessed area <NUM> is aligned with the opening <NUM>.

In some implementations, the front face of the signaling wheel <NUM> has a color portion <NUM> including a first color, such as red in a first section, as well as a second color, such as green in a second section. The second color green is located such that it is only visible through the window <NUM> when the second gear <NUM> has returned to its home position. In this way, a shopper can see through window <NUM> whether the actuator mechanism is able to rotate the coil to which it is attached, via the coil being attached to the opening in the shaft <NUM>, such as when the color green is shown through the window <NUM>, or is prevented from rotating the coil, such as when the color red is shown by the signaling wheel. It should be appreciated that protrusion <NUM> of the knob inner part engages in and cooperates with recessed area <NUM> of the signaling wheel <NUM>, and the opening <NUM> of the second gear <NUM>, through the slot <NUM> defined in the front housing half <NUM>.

In some implementations, it can be appreciated that the outer knob <NUM> is able to turn in two opposing directions: clockwise and counterclockwise. When a product dispensing coil is fixedly and non-rotatably attached to the outer knob <NUM>, a full clockwise rotation of the outer knob will dispense a single product. A full counter-clockwise rotation or the outer knob <NUM> will allow product to be loaded onto the peg hook. When turned in the product dispensing direction (clockwise), the outer knob <NUM> is operationally engaged with the inner knob <NUM> by way of the ratcheting notch <NUM> and ratcheting flange <NUM>. When turned in the opposite direction (counterclockwise), the outer knob <NUM> is free to rotate independently of the inner knob <NUM>, thus bypassing the time delay mechanism <NUM>.

Further describing the function of the merchandise dispenser <NUM> in this implementation, when the outer knob <NUM> is turned in the dispensing direction (clockwise) about the axis A1, the inner knob <NUM> is operationally engaged by the outer knob <NUM> and the first gear <NUM> is turned by means of the hex drive interface <NUM>, <NUM>. Shortly after rotation of the first gear about the axis A1, the protrusion <NUM> of the inner knob enters the semi-circular recessed area <NUM> of the time delay mechanism <NUM> and the first tooth of the first gear <NUM> engages the first tooth of the second gear <NUM> causing the second gear <NUM> to rotate about the axis A2. This is shown in the <NUM> degree and <NUM> degree illustrations of <FIG>. It should be noted that there is a single unique position that allows entry of the protrusion <NUM> into the semi-circular recessed area <NUM> and into the opening <NUM> of the second gear <NUM>; all other positions of the time delay mechanism prevent entry of the protrusion <NUM>. As the engaged teeth of the first gear, rotating in the clockwise direction, cause a counter-clockwise rotation in the second gear <NUM>, the protrusion <NUM> continues passing through the semi-circular recessed area <NUM>. This is shown in illustrations <NUM> degree and <NUM> degree of <FIG>. As rotation of the first gear continues, counter-rotation of the second gear continues and potential energy is stored in the torsion spring <NUM>. This is shown in illustrations <NUM> degree and <NUM> degree of <FIG>. When an approximately <NUM> degree clockwise rotation of the first gear has occurred, further rotation is prevented by the protrusion <NUM> being blocked from entry into the semi-circular recessed area <NUM>. Additionally, further rotation of the second gear is prevented by protrusion <NUM> coming into contact with the rear housing half <NUM>. See illustration <NUM> degree of <FIG>. At this same time, namely at approximately <NUM> degrees of first gear rotation, the lack of teeth on the first gear (e.g., section <NUM>) and/or the lack of teeth on the second gear (e.g., curved surface <NUM>) cause the second gear to become rotationally disengaged from the first gear and the stored energy of the torsion spring biases the second gear back to its original position. The rotary damper controls the rate at which the second gear returns to its original position, thus causing a time delay during which the outer knob remains unable to rotate in a clockwise, dispensing direction. It is only after the second gear has returned to its original position that the outer knob can once again be turned to dispense another product.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the actuator <NUM> may include a locking mechanism or subassembly <NUM>. To add product to the merchandise dispenser <NUM> (e.g., to the support rod <NUM>), an employee or any other suitable person may rotate the outer knob section <NUM> in a counterclockwise direction (from the perspective shown in <FIG>) until the product reaches the distal end <NUM> of the rod <NUM> or is located between each of the spiraling coil sections <NUM> of the helical coil <NUM>. To remove product, a customer or any other suitable person may rotate the outer knob section <NUM> in a clockwise direction (from the perspective shown in <FIG>) until the product reaches the free end <NUM> of the support rod <NUM>. The locking subassembly <NUM> may be implemented to selectively prevent the actuator <NUM> from rotating in a counterclockwise direction such that customers are prohibited from delivering products toward the distal end <NUM> of the rod <NUM>. Additionally, in situations where an employee mistakenly leaves the locking assembly <NUM> in an unlocked position (<FIG>), the locking assembly <NUM> may include functionality to move to a locked position (<FIG>) in response to a customer retrieving product (e.g., in response to a customer rotating the outer knob section <NUM> in the clockwise direction (from the perspective shown in <FIG>), as will be described in more detail below.

The locking subassembly <NUM> includes a button <NUM>, a locking gear <NUM>, a biasing gear <NUM>, and a biasing element <NUM> (e.g., a torsion spring). In the assembled configuration (<FIG>), the button <NUM> may be translatably disposed between the skirt <NUM> of the front half <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and the skirt <NUM> of the rear half <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The button <NUM> may include a gripping surface <NUM> on an outer surface to facilitate engagement of the button <NUM> by a user. In some implementations, the gripping surface <NUM> is a plurality of grooves or notches. The button <NUM> includes an arm <NUM> on an inner surface, the arm <NUM> including a distal lip <NUM> configured to selectively engage the catch <NUM> of the front housing half <NUM>, such that the catch <NUM> retains the button <NUM>, as will be described in more detail below. The button <NUM> includes an upper protrusion <NUM> and a lower protrusion <NUM> each opposite the arm <NUM> on the inner surface of the sliding button <NUM>. In particular, the upper protrusion <NUM> may be disposed between the lower protrusion <NUM> and the arm <NUM>.

The locking gear <NUM> includes a main body <NUM> having a bore <NUM> configured to rotatably receive one of the bosses <NUM> of the front housing half <NUM>. The main body <NUM> includes one or more teeth <NUM> and a projection <NUM> on an outer surface of the main body <NUM>. In particular, the one or more teeth <NUM> and the projection <NUM> may extend radially from the outer surface of the main body <NUM>. The main body <NUM> may also include a locking arm <NUM> extending tangentially from the outer surface of the main body <NUM> and having a distal end <NUM>.

The biasing gear <NUM> includes a main body <NUM> rotatably disposed within the recess <NUM> of the lower housing half <NUM>. The main body <NUM> includes a series of teeth <NUM> configured to engage the teeth <NUM> of the first gear <NUM> and the teeth <NUM> of the locking gear <NUM>. The main body <NUM> includes a bore <NUM> configured to receive the biasing element <NUM>. The biasing element <NUM> includes a proximal end <NUM> configured to engage the slot <NUM> in the front housing half <NUM>, such engagement operable to bias the biasing element <NUM> toward the locked position.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, operation of the locking subassembly <NUM> will now be described. Referring to <FIG>, the locking subassembly <NUM> is in the unlocked position, in which an employee is permitted to rotate the outer knob section <NUM> clockwise (counterclockwise in the perspective shown in <FIG>) to add product. To move to the unlocked position (<FIG>), in which a customer is prohibited from rotating the outer knob section <NUM> clockwise (counterclockwise in the perspective shown in <FIG>), an employee may translate (e.g., slide) the button <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM> until the distal lip <NUM> disengages from the catch <NUM>. With the distal lip <NUM> disengaged from the catch <NUM>, the biasing element <NUM> biases the biasing gear <NUM> toward the locked position by rotating the biasing gear <NUM>. The teeth <NUM> of the biasing gear <NUM> may apply a force upon the teeth <NUM> of the locking gear <NUM>, causing the locking gear <NUM> to rotate until the distal end <NUM> of the locking arm <NUM> engages one of the teeth <NUM> of the outer knob section <NUM>, thus, inhibiting clockwise rotation of the outer knob section <NUM>. As another example, the employee may move the button <NUM> until the upper protrusion <NUM> engages the projection <NUM> of the locking gear <NUM>, thus, causing the locking gear <NUM> to rotate until the distal end <NUM> of the locking arm <NUM> engages one of the teeth <NUM> of the outer knob section <NUM>, thus, inhibiting clockwise rotation of the outer knob section <NUM>.

In some implementations, an employee may mistakenly forget to move the button <NUM> to the locked position illustrated in <FIG>. When a customer properly uses the actuator <NUM> to retrieve product, i.e., rotating the outer knob section counterclockwise (clockwise in the perspective shown in <FIG>), the teeth <NUM> of the first gear <NUM> apply a force upon the teeth <NUM> of the biasing gear <NUM>, causing the biasing gear <NUM> to rotate in the clockwise direction relative to the view in <FIG>. As the biasing gear <NUM> rotates, the teeth <NUM> of the biasing gear <NUM> apply a force upon the teeth <NUM> of the locking gear <NUM>, causing the locking gear <NUM> to rotate in the counter-clockwise direction, relative to the view in <FIG>, such that the projection <NUM> pushes against the lower protrusion <NUM> until the distal lip <NUM> of the arm <NUM> of the button <NUM> disengages with the catch <NUM>. With the distal lip <NUM> of the arm <NUM> of the button <NUM> disengaged from the catch <NUM>, the biasing element <NUM> may rotate the biasing gear <NUM> in the clockwise direction relative to the view in <FIG> toward the locked position. The teeth <NUM> of the biasing gear <NUM> apply a force against the teeth <NUM> of the locking gear <NUM>, causing the locking gear <NUM> to rotate in the counter-clockwise direction relative to the view in <FIG> until the distal end <NUM> of the locking arm <NUM> engages one of the teeth <NUM> of the outer knob section <NUM>, thus, inhibiting clockwise rotation of the outer knob section <NUM>.

In some implementations, the housing halves <NUM> and <NUM>, as well as the components held therein, other than the spring <NUM>, can be made of a suitable conventional plastic material. So, too, can the outer and inner knob sections <NUM> and <NUM>. Of course, other known materials could be employed instead, if so desired.

In the time delay mechanism disclosed herein, two gears interface with each other, but the lack of teeth on the first and second gears means there is some slippage between the first and second gears so that a movement of the consumer accessible actuator knob <NUM> does not necessarily cause a movement of the coil which extends around the support rod on which merchandise is hung.

While the time delay actuator has been described in connection with a rotating knob, it should be appreciated that the same type of time delay mechanism can be provided for a linear actuator, such as a lever or the like.

The disclosure has been described with reference to one particular embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon the reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A locking mechanism (<NUM>) for a product-dispensing device (<NUM>), the locking mechanism comprising:
a locking gear (<NUM>) rotatable between a first position and a second position and including a locking arm (<NUM>) configured to inhibit rotation of an actuator (<NUM>) in the second position;
a button (<NUM>) configured to translate between a third position and a fourth position, the button operable to rotate the locking gear between the first position and the second position upon translation between the third position and the fourth position;
a biasing gear (<NUM>) coupled to the locking gear and configured to bias the locking gear toward the second position; and
a biasing spring (<NUM>) coupled to the biasing gear, and wherein the biasing gear is rotatable between a fifth position where the locking gear is in the first position and a sixth position where the locking gear is in the second position, the biasing spring configured to bias the biasing gear toward the sixth position.