BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a theft deterrent system and, more particularly, to an anti-sweep bar to protect items on retail shelves.
Description of Prior Art
A growing problem for retail stores is theft of high value inventory directly from shelves. Thieves target retail stores to “sweep” shelves of valuable product by quickly assembling and removing as much of the product as possible-often with a simple sweep of an arm. The thieves then exit the store with the product before store personnel or law enforcement have an opportunity to react. The product is either later returned for cash or sold outright.
Solutions to this problem have included locking down high-value product in vaults or cabinets that require store personnel to unlock and physically provide the product to the consumer. Other solutions include security wires that physically connect the product to store shelves or each other. These solutions also require store personnel to unlock and untether such product for the consumer. These solutions tend to discourage customers from purchases because of the extra effort and time required to examiner and attain a product for purchase.
Other solutions utilize mechanical dispensers connected to shelves that are configured to mechanically dispense one product at a time before resetting for dispensing another product. These solutions are not flexible for a variety of inventory and this inflexibly requires particular store shelves to be dedicated to particular inventory.
A need therefore exists in a retail system to slow suspected thieves down and maintain inventory while also enabling shoppers to examine and purchase product unencumbered by lock and key solutions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention generally relates to a theft deterrent system that can be used on a retail shelf to protect certain goods from theft.
The general object of the invention can be attained, at least in part, through a theft deterrent system for mounting on a retail shelf. The theft deterrent system includes one or more brackets configured to attach to a retail shelf and a crossbar positioned forward of the brackets to traverse at least a front portion of the shelf and preferably the entire outward perimeter of the shelf. The crossbar is configured to move between an open position permitting full access to the shelf and a closed position permitting obstructed access to the shelf. In embodiments, the crossbar may swing up or down from the shelf to enable access to the shelf by store employees, for instance for stocking. In another embodiment, the crossbar may slide between the open position and the closed position.
Other objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended claims and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an anti-sweep bar in a closed position according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the anti-sweep bar shown in FIG. 1 in a telescoped position;
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the anti-sweep bar shown in FIG. 1 in an open position;
FIG. 4 shows a side view of the anti-sweep bar shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 shows a side view of the anti-sweep bar shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 shows a side view of the anti-sweep bar shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 shows a detailed side view of a hinge of the anti-sweep bar shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 shows a detailed side view of a hinge of the anti-sweep bar shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 shows a detailed bottom view of a spring button on the anti-sweep bar shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a shelf with an anti-sweep bar in a closed position according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 11 shows a close-up perspective view of the shelf in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the shelf with the anti-sweep bar shown in FIG. 10 in an open position;
FIG. 13 shows a close-up perspective view of the shelf in FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 shows a side view of an anti-sweep bar in a closed position according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 15 shows a side view of the anti-sweep bar shown in FIG. 14 in an open position;
FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of an anti-sweep bar in a closed position, according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of the anti-sweep bar shown in FIG. 16 in an open position;
FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of an anti-sweep bar in an open position, according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of the anti-sweep bar shown in FIG. 18 pivoting into a partially closed position;
FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of the anti-sweep bar shown in FIG. 18 pivoting into a closed position;
FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of the anti-sweep bar shown in FIG. 18 pivoting into a closed position;
FIG. 22 shows a perspective view of the anti-sweep bar shown in FIG. 18 in a fully closed position;
FIG. 23 shows a close-up perspective view of the anti-sweep bar shown in FIG. 18;
FIG. 24 shows a close-up side view of the anti-sweep bar shown in FIG. 18; and
FIG. 25 shows a close-up perspective view of the anti-sweep bar shown in FIG. 18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an anti-sweep system including brackets and a crossbar that extends along a front of a retail store shelf to prevent or at least mitigate theft of bulk items.
FIGS. 1-9 show an anti-sweep bar 10 that can be mounted relative to a retail shelf. The anti-sweep bar 10 herein is shown for use in connection with a traditional slotted shelf fixture but is adaptable for use in nearly any retail shelf arrangement. As shown in FIGS. 10-15, a shelf fixture 100 may include two or more slotted uprights 90 onto which store shelves 80 are mounted with corresponding brackets that mate with the slotted uprights 90. FIGS. 16-17 show another embodiment of an anti-sweep bar 210 that can be mounted relative to a retail shelf. FIGS. 18-25 show yet another embodiment of an anti-sweep bar 310 that can be mounted relative to a retail shelf.
FIGS. 1-15 show the subject anti-sweep bar 10 preferably includes a similar pair of brackets 20 that likewise mate with the slotted uprights 90 above and/or in between individual shelves 80. In this manner, the anti-sweep bar 10 is fixed into position relative to a respective shelf and in a retail environment is not readily removeable without emptying shelves 80 of product.
FIGS. 1-9 show one embodiment of an anti-sweep bar 10 that includes a pair of brackets 20 and a pair of outwardly extending side bars 30. The brackets 20 preferably attach to a standard shelf fixture using a hang rail saddle style arrangement to engage with a standard slotted shelf fixture or similar engagement structure. The side bars 30 are preferably a metal extrusion with a generally square or rectangular cross-section creating a generally hollow central shaft that extends at least partially through each side bar 30.
A crossbar 40 is mated to extend between each side bar 30. As shown, the crossbar 40 preferably includes a generally straight leading portion that is configured to extend along a front of the shelf 80 and two opposite perpendicular legs that extend into shafts of each side bar 30. In this manner, the crossbar 40 is capable of telescoping from the sidebars 30 upon actuation of one or more releases, such as a spring button 60 shown in FIG. 9.
The crossbar 40 is preferably sized to at least partially block or impede a group of faced product 110 on the retail shelf 80 (such as deodorant, medication, power tools, etc.) so that each individual product must be manipulated to pull up and around the crossbar 40 when a consumer removes the product 110 from the shelf 80. When a store employee needs to stock the shelf or otherwise freely access product on the shelf, the crossbar 40 is preferably configured to telescope outward from the side bars 30 and then pivot upward or downward away from placement in front of the shelf. The crossbar 40 is preferably pivotable along hinges 50 at either end of the perpendicular legs that extend from the shafts of each side bar 30.
FIGS. 10-15 show a typical shelf fixture 100 with product 110 on a shelf 80. The anti-sweep bars 10, 210, 310 described herein are each applicable to the shelf fixture arrangements shown in FIGS. 10-15. FIGS. 10, 11, and 14 show a shelf 80 with the anti-sweep bar 10 in the closed position while FIGS. 12, 13, and 15 show a shelf 80 with the anti-sweep bar 10 in the open position. As shown, in the open position, the shelf 80 is preferably fully accessible with no obstruction caused by the crossbar 40. In the closed position, the crossbar 40 provides an obstruction to the product 110 on the shelf 80 but not necessarily an insurmountable obstruction, i.e., a consumer can manipulate the product 110 to remove it from the shelf 80 but cannot pull multiple products 110 from the shelf 80 without significant work.
FIGS. 16-17 show the anti-sweep bar 210 according to another embodiment. The anti-sweep bar 210 likewise preferably includes a similar pair of brackets 20 that mate with the slotted uprights 90 above and/or in between individual shelves 80. In this manner, the anti-sweep bar 10 is fixed into position relative to a respective shelf and in a retail environment is not readily removeable without emptying shelves 80 of product.
FIGS. 16-17 show the anti-sweep bar 210 that includes a pair of brackets 220 and a pair of downwardly or upwardly extending side bars 230. The side bars 230 are preferably a metal extrusion with a generally square or rectangular cross-section.
A crossbar 240 is mated to extend between each side bar 230. As shown, the crossbar 240 preferably includes a generally straight leading portion that is configured to extend along a front of the shelf 80.
In this embodiment, the anti-sweep bar 210 includes a crossbar 230 that slides between the open position and the closed position. As shown in FIG. 16, the crossbar 230 is in a closed position and slides downwardly into the open position which is shown in FIG. 17. As such, consumers can readily and without obstruction access product 110 from the shelf 80 when in the open position shown in FIG. 17. On the contrary, when the crossbar 230 is in the closed position, free access to the shelf 80 is blocked and requires either a store associate to slide the crossbar 230 into the open position, or a physical manipulation of the product to extract it from the shelf 80. In this manner, removal of a group of product all at the same time is nearly impossible.
The crossbar 240 is preferably sized to at least partially block or impede a group of faced product 110 on the retail shelf 80 as described above so that each individual product must be manipulated to pull up and around the crossbar 240 when a consumer removes the product 110 from the shelf 80. When a store employee needs to stock the shelf or otherwise freely access product on the shelf, the crossbar 240 is preferably configured to slide upward or downward away from placement in front of the shelf. The crossbar 240 is preferably slideable along brackets 220 that attach to the fixture.
FIGS. 18-25 show the anti-sweep bar 310 according to another embodiment. The anti-sweep bar 310 likewise preferably includes a similar pair of brackets 320 that mate with the slotted uprights 90 above and/or in between individual shelves 80. In this manner, the anti-sweep bar 310 is fixed into position relative to a respective shelf and in a retail environment is not readily removeable without emptying shelves 80 of product.
FIGS. 18-25 show the anti-sweep bar 310 that includes a pair of brackets 320 and a pair of outwardly extending side bars 330. The side bars 330 are preferably a metal extrusion with a generally square or rectangular cross-section. A crossbar 340 extending between the pair of side bars 330 is configured to block at least a portion of a shelf 80 on the shelf fixture 100 in a closed position and further configured to pivot between the closed position and an open position permitting free access to the shelf 80.
In this embodiment the side bars 330 preferably pivot relative the pair of brackets 20. As best shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the side bars 330 preferably pivot around shoulder bolts 360 positioned in the brackets 320.
As shown in FIGS. 18-22 in progression, the crossbar 340 of the anti-sweep bar 310 pivots upwardly into the closed position. Although shown to pivot upwardly into the closed position, the crossbar 340 may alternatively pivot downwardly into the closed position, depending on the alignment of the side bars 330 relative to the brackets 320.
FIG. 25 shows a locking aperture 370 in a bracket 320 which preferably mates with a corresponding void in the side bars 330, such as a channel 380. A padlock or cam lock (not shown) may be inserted into this locking aperture 370 and through the channel 380 to fix the anti-sweep bar 310 into one of the open or closed position.
A corresponding method of protecting a store shelf from a sweep of products from the shelf includes mounting an anti-sweep bar 10, 210, 310 relative to a shelf fixture 100 with a pair of brackets 20, 220, 320 configured to attach to the shelf fixture 100 and connecting a corresponding pair of side bars 30, 230, 330 to each bracket that extend outwardly from the shelf fixture 100. A crossbar 40, 240, 340 is extended between the pair of side bars 30, 230, 330 to block at least a portion of a shelf 80 on the shelf fixture 100 in a closed position. The crossbar 40, 240, 340 is then moved between the closed position to an open position permitting free access to the shelf 80. The movement may be a pivoting or a sliding action between the open position and the closed position.
The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element, part, step, component, or ingredient which is not specifically disclosed herein.
While in the foregoing detailed description this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.
Patent Application
20250134280
