The present disclosure relates to a hook lock device for securing merchandise that is hung and displayed on product display hooks. It finds particular application in conjunction with securing merchandise on cantilevered loop type display hooks, and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that the present exemplary embodiment is also amenable to other like applications.
Many stores sell a variety of retail items that have various geometric shapes. It is desirable to display such merchandise in packages such that the merchandise is readily accessible to potential purchasers. For example, merchants utilize product display hooks which protrude forward in a cantilevered arrangement from shelf walls or pegboards that support merchandise thereon. Display hooks can be formed of wire or metal rods and merchandise is hung therefrom. Alternatively, such hook arrangements can be made from suitable thermoplastics. The merchandise generally includes packaging having an aperture suitable for being slidably mounted on a single rod or a double rod of a suitably configured display hook.
A loop type display hook generally includes a pair of longitudinal rods that attach to the shelf wall at a proximal end and are connected to one another in a rounded configuration at an opposite, distal, end thereof. Merchandise is slid past the proximal end of the display hook and is supported on the double rods of the loop type display hook.
For high value merchandise, locks are sometimes used on the distal ends of single rod display hooks. Such locks have been employed to reduce the risk of shoplifting. U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,979 to Valiulis discloses a locking hook device configured to be mounted to the distal end of a single rod display hook. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 8,281,624 to Rizzi discloses an anti-shoplifting device for a loop type display hook with double rods. Other anti-shoplifting devices are known, however, these devices include various contraptions that incorporate built-in locking arrangements that are bulky, costly and/or unattractive. These devices may also include multiple moving parts that can become separated and easily lost when not in use.
Therefore, there remains a need to provide a lock that is capable of securing merchandise on a loop type display hook having double rods, which lock does not include multiple attachments or additional working parts, that is easy to use, sturdy, not bulky or unattractive and can be easily attached to and detached from the distal end of a loop type display hook. It would also be advantageous if the lock could accommodate a display area for holding information concerning the product mounted on the display hook.
In one embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a hook lock device for use in connection with an associated loop type display hook to prevent the removal of associated merchandise suspended from the display hook. The hook lock device includes a housing that defines a cavity configured to accommodate a distal end of the display hook. A tumbler lock mechanism or a plunger lock mechanism is mounted to the housing and is in communication with the cavity. A plug or locking pin is operably connected to the tumbler lock mechanism such that the tumbler lock mechanism is configured to selectively position the plug in either an unlocked condition, wherein the plug is retracted out of the cavity, and a locked condition, wherein the plug is extended at least partially within the cavity such that the housing cannot be removed from the distal end of the associated display hook.
The plug is configured to translate along a central axis of the housing. The distal end of the associated hook lock is received within the opening and extends past the central axis within the cavity to be placed in the locked condition.
According to another embodiment, disclosed is a hook lock device for use in connection with an associated loop type display hook is disclosed to retard the removal of associated merchandise from the associated display hook. The hook lock device comprises a housing defining a cavity having an opening shaped to receive a distal end of the associated display hook. The opening includes a width dimension and a height dimension such that the width dimension is greater than the height dimension. A plunger lock mechanism is attached to the housing. A locking pin is positioned within the housing and is operably connected to the plunger lock mechanism such that the plunger lock mechanism is configured to selectively move the locking pin between an unlocked condition, wherein the locking pin is retracted out of the cavity, and a locked condition, wherein the locking pin is extended at least partially within the cavity.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a hook lock device is provided for use in connection with an associated loop type display hook to retard the removal of associated merchandise suspended from the associated display hook. The hook lock device comprises a housing defining a first cavity for accommodating a distal end of the associated display hook, and a second cavity communicating with the first cavity. A tumbler lock mechanism is mounted in the second cavity. A plug is operably connected to the tumbler lock mechanism such that the tumbler lock mechanism is configured to selectively position the plug in one of an unlocked condition, wherein the plug is retracted out of the first cavity, and a locked condition, wherein the plug is extended at least partially within the first cavity such that the housing cannot be removed from the distal end of the associated display hook.
The present disclosure may take form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, an embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
It is to be understood that the detailed figures are for purposes of illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure only and are not intended to be limiting. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the drawings are not to scale and that portions of certain elements may be exaggerated for the purpose of clarity and ease of illustration.
In accordance with the present disclosure,
In one embodiment, the display hook 12 includes an elongated rod 20 that is bent into a U-shape to form or define a first leg 22 and a second leg 24 which are oriented so that they extend generally parallel to each other. The legs 22, 24 are aligned such that a proximal end 26 of the display hook 12 the legs are configured to attach to the base 14 while an opposite distal end 28 of the display hook has a generally rounded front end 30 that can be termed U shaped. The distal end 28 of the display hook defines a loop space 32 between the adjacent legs 20 and 22. It should be recognized that the distal end 28 could have various shapes or configurations that define a loop space 32 and is not limited to having a rounded end. Additionally, the loop hook 12 is not limited to being formed from an elongated rod. It can be formed in various shapes and from various materials and can have different configurations along its length.
With reference now to
The plunger lock mechanism 42 is held by the housing 34 and the locking pin 40 or plug is operably connected to the plunger lock mechanism such that the locking pin 40 can be selectively moved between an unlocked condition (
As the hook lock device 10 is placed in the locked condition on the hook lock 12, the locking pin 40 protrudes into the cavity 36 and extends within the loop space 32 of the loop hook 12. The rounded end 30 of the loop hook 12 is thus retained within the cavity 36 at a location past a vertically oriented axis 50 of the plunger lock mechanism 42, which axis can also be termed a central axis of the lock mechanism or even of the housing 34.
As shown in
The housing 34 can include a front face 48 which can be planar in configuration. In one embodiment, the front face is adapted to hold a sign or other information. Usually, this information is associated with the merchandise that is to be supported on the loop hook 12. As is evident from
In one embodiment, as illustrated by
In use, the plunger lock mechanism can be reciprocated from an unlocked condition, illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
The exemplary embodiments of the disclosure have been described herein. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the instant disclosure be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.