RING SECURITY DISPLAY HANGER

Abstract

A ring security display hanger includes a body member having front and rear surfaces and a securing member configured to be inserted into the securing aperture and for engagement with the body member. The securing member includes a head, a tail integrally attached to the bottom of the head, first and second ring holders for accommodating and receiving a ring, and a locking device positioned above the first and second ring holders for receiving and locking the tail to secure the ring to the ring security display hanger. The first and second ring holders are configured to move laterally towards and away from the center of the head.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ring display hangers, and more particularly, to ring security display hangers with a theft deterrent locking mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rings are commonly displayed for sale in retail stores on racks or in display cases where the articles are hung. It is customary for customers to examine the rings before purchasing. However, handling of the rings can lead to security concerns, and the customers can easily remove them from the premises. Thus, retailers have implemented a variety of different hangers with electronic security tags to secure the rings. The security tags can be enclosed in or attached to a variety of different devices, such as a holder or a housing, which are used to attach the security tags to the ring. However, this presents both manufacturing and assembling issues, such as cost increase and product complexity.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved ring display hanger to prevent theft by consumers, as well as simple cost efficient to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a ring security display hanger includes a body member having front and rear surfaces and a securing member configured to be inserted into the securing aperture and for engagement with the body member. The securing member includes a head, a tail integrally attached to the bottom of the head, first and second ring holders for accommodating and receiving a ring, and a locking device positioned above the first and second ring holders for receiving and locking the tail to secure the ring to the ring security display hanger. The first and second ring holders are configured to move laterally towards and away from the center of the head.

According to a method aspect, a method of securing a ring to a ring security display hanger includes bending a tail of a securing member such that it is substantially perpendicular to a head of the securing member, moving first and second ring holders towards a center of the head, inserting the tail through a securing aperture of a body member from rear until the head engages with the body member, extending the first and second ring holders extended away from the center of the head 30 to adjust the holders to fit the ring thereon, passing the tail through the ring and inserted it into a locking device, and cutting a portion of the tail that protrudes outwardly from the locking device for displaying purpose.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a ring security display hanger includes a body member having front and rear surfaces and a securing aperture having at least one dedent, a securing member including first and second ring holders for accommodating and receiving a ring, a locking member having a finger extending from a surface of the locking member, and a cable tie configured to secure the locking and securing members onto the body member and secure the ring onto the securing member. The finger of the locking member is configured to be disposed within the at least one dedent once the locking member engages with the securing member to prevent the locking and securing members from rotating along the body member.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be better understood in view of the drawings and following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of the ring security display hanger, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the body member of the ring security display hanger in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective rear view of the body member of the ring security display hanger in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective front view of the securing member of the ring security display hanger in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective rear view of the body member of the ring security display hanger in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a securing member in an alternate embodiment;

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate the ring security display hanger during securing a ring to the ring security display hanger in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a perspective front view of the ring security display hanger, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the ring security display hanger in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the ring security display hanger in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a front view of the body member of the ring security display hanger in FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a front view of the securing member of the ring security display hanger in FIG. 11;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the securing member of the ring security display hanger in FIG. 11;

FIG. 17 is a front view of the locking member of the ring security display hanger in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 18 is a rear view of the locking member of the ring security display hanger in FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to an embodiment of the present invention, referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a ring security display hanger 10 designed and configured to secure a ring 12 thereonto. The ring security display hanger 10 includes a body member 14, a securing member 16, and a hook 18 integrally attached to the body member 14. The securing member 16 of the ring security display hanger 10 is configured to engage with the body member 14 to tightly secure the ring 12 to the ring security display hanger 10 to prevent theft by customers, as be described in greater detail blow. In addition, the ring security display hanger 10 is designed and configured to allow a consumer to try the ring 12 on, without removing the ring 12 therefrom.

Directional terms, such as top, bottom, front, and rear are referenced to an orientation in which the ring security display hanger 10 with the ring 12 secured thereonto is hung on a display hook/rod with the ring 12 facing forward. However, the present invention is not thereby limited to use in any particular orientation.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the body member 14 is generally planar and rectangular and has a front surface 20 and a rear surface 22. The hook 18 is integrally attached to the top of the body member 14 to provide a means for mounting the ring security display hanger 10 on a display structure. A display aperture 24 is defined at the top of the body member 14 for engaging the ring security display hanger 10 with a display hook/rod for retail display. A securing aperture 26 is defined near the center of the body member 14 for engaging with the securing member 16, as will be described in create detail below.

The front and rear surfaces 20, 22 of the body member 14 may be utilized for pictures such as logos, text (including product descriptions), and pricing information to be printed on, embossed in, or otherwise attached. In addition, a security tag 28, e.g., a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or the like, may be applied to a tag portion 29 defined on the rear surface 22 of the body member 14. Alternately, the security tag 28 could be applied on the front surface 20 of the body member 14. The security tag 28 may be applied in any fashion and may even be concealed on the body member 14. The security tag 28 attached to the ring security display hanger 10 has a wide variety of uses, including tracking, inventory control, and security. The security tag 28 can also provide electronically readable information pertaining to the ring 12. The security tag 28 is firmly secured onto the body member 14 such that it remains with the ring 12 until after the time of purchase.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the securing member 16 includes a head 30 and a tail 32 that are similar to a conventional cable tie. The tail 32 is integrally connected to the bottom of the head 30 and extends therefrom. Specifically, the head 30 and the tail 32 are connected via a foldline 34. The foldline 34 allows the tail 32 to be bendable along the foldline 34 such that the tail 32 can be inserted into the securing aperture 26 of the body member 14 to secure the ring 12 to the ring security display hanger 10, as will be described in greater detail below.

The head 30 of the securing member 16 includes first and second ring holders 36, 38 for receiving the ring 12. The first and second ring holders 36, 38 are configured to move laterally towards and away from the center of the head 30 to accommodate and hold rings in various sizes. In addition, the first and second ring holders 36, 38 are configured to rotate together, thereby allowing the ring 12 to also rotate once it is secured to the first and second ring holders 36, 38. The rotatable first and second ring holders 36, 38 prevent the ring 12 from being twisted off the ring security display hanger 10.

The first and second ring holders 36, 38 are positioned slightly above a front surface 40 of the head 30 such that a gap 42 is created between each ring holder 36, 38 and the front surface 40 of the head 30. The gap 42 allows a portion of the body member 14 to be placed therewithin once the securing member 16 is inserted to the securing aperture 26 and the first and second ring holder 36, 38 are extended away from the center of the head 30 of the securing member 16, as shown in Figure.

The head 30 of the securing member 16 further includes a locking device 44 supported therein for receiving and locking the tail 32 to secure the ring 12 to the ring security display hanger 10. The locking device 44 is positioned above the first and second ring holders 36, 38. The head 30 receives the tail so as to lock the tail 32 into the head 30 in conventional fashion.

Referring to FIG. 6, in an alternate embodiment, a securing member 16′ is similar to the securing member 16 described above except that it includes a security tag member 46′. Specifically, the security tag member 46′ is integrally formed on top of the head 30′. Thus, in this embodiment, a security tag (not shown) may be applied to the security tag member 46′, as well as to the front and rear surfaces 20, 22 of the body member 14.

The ring security display hanger 10 is made out of one or more materials having suitable properties for a desired application, including strength, weight, rigidity, etc. Plastic is generally preferred. It will be appreciated that other designs and configurations could be used for the ring security display hanger 10, as deemed suitable for a given application factors.

In use of the ring security display hanger 10, first, the tail 32 of the securing member 16 is bent such that it is substantially perpendicular to the head 30 of the securing member 16. With the first and second ring holders 36, 38 moved towards the center of the head 30 of the securing member 16, the tail 32 is inserted through the securing aperture 26 of the body member 14 from the rear of the body member 14 until the head 30 touches the body member 14, as shown in FIG. 7. Then, the first and second ring holders 36, 38 are extended away from the center of the head 30 and adjusted to receive and fit the ring 12 thereon, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. To secure the ring 12 to the first and second ring holders 36, 38 and the ring security display hanger 10, the tail 32 is passed through the ring 12 and inserted into the locking device 44 of the securing member 16, as shown in FIG. 10. The portion of the tail 32 that protrudes outwardly from the locking device 44 may be cut for displaying purpose. The ring security display hanger 10 is now ready for suspension on a display hook or the like, such as a pegboard hook for retail display.

Once the ring 12 is secured to the ring security display hanger 10, it is extremely difficult to remove the ring 12 with bare hands. In fact, the ring 12 is not readily separable from the ring security display hanger 10 without destruction of the hanger 10. Thus, after purchasing the ring 12, a consumer can remove the ring 12 from the ring security hanger display 10 by cutting or clipping the locking device 44 from the rear of the ring security display hanger 10 to unlock the tail 32 from the locking device 44.

Referring to FIGS. 11-14, another embodiment of the present invention is shown. The ring security display hanger 100, which is constructed similar to the embodiment (ring security display hanger 10) described above, secures a ring 102 thereon. The ring security display hanger 100 in the present embodiment includes a body member 104, a cable tie 106, a securing member 108, a locking member 110 configured to engage with the securing member 108, and a hook 112 integrally attached to the body member 104.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 14, the body member 104 is generally planar and rectangular. The body member 104 includes a securing aperture 114 defined approximately at the center of the body member 104. The securing aperture 114 is generally circular with at least one dedent 116 for engaging with the locking member 110 to prevent it from rotating once the locking member 110 is engaged with the securing member 108 and secured onto the body member 104. This will be described in greater detail below.

As with the ring security display hanger 10 described above, front and rear surfaces 118, 120 of the body member 104 may be utilized for pictures such as logos, text (including product descriptions), and pricing information to be printed on, embossed in, or otherwise attached. In addition, a security tag 122, e.g., a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or the like, may be applied to a tag portion 124 defined on the rear surface 120 of the body member 104. Alternately, the security tag 122 could be applied on the front surface 118 of the body member 104.

The security tag 122 may be applied in any fashion and may even be concealed on the body member 104. The security tag 122 attached to the ring security display hanger 100 has a wide variety of uses, including tracking, inventory control, and security. The security tag 122 can also provide electronically readable information pertaining to the ring 102. The security tag 122 is firmly secured onto the body member 104 such that it remains with the ring 102 until after the time of purchase.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the securing member 108 is configured to receive the ring 102 and to be attached to the front surface 118 of the body member 104. The securing member 108 has a rear surface 126 that engages with the front surface 118 of the body member 104 and a convex front surface 128 that extends between first and second stationery first and second ring holders 130 of the securing member 108. The securing member 108 further includes a pair of securing member apertures 132, which the cable tie 106 may pass through to mount the ring 102 securely onto the securing member 108.

The securing member 108 further includes a pair of clips 134 and a guidepost 136 positioned between the clips 134. The pair of clips 134 and the guidepost 136 extend outwardly from the rear surface 126 of the securing member 108.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the locking member 110 includes a plurality of horizontal apertures 138 defined approximately in the middle of the locking member 110. The plurality of horizontal apertures 138 are configured and positioned such that they align with the pair of clips 134 and the guidepost 136 of the securing member 108 once the securing member 108 and the locking member 110 are placed on the body member 104 for engagement. Thus, the pair of clips 134 may engage with the plurality of horizontal apertures 138 for locking the securing member 108 to the locking member 110.

A finger 140 is defined on the locking member 110 and extends from a surface 142 of the locking member 110 to prevent the locking member 110 and the securing member 108 from rotating along the body member 104. Specifically, once the locking member 110 and securing member 108 are engaged through the securing aperture 114 of the body member 104, the finger 140 is configured such that it disposes within one of the dedents 116 defined on the body member 104. Thus, the finger 140 will prevent the securing member 108 and locking member 110 from rotating since the finger 140 will not be able to move outside of the dedent 116.

The locking member 110 further includes a pair of locking member apertures 144, which the cable tie 106 may pass through to mount both the securing member 108 and locking member 110 securely to the body member 104. After the cable tie 106 is passed through the locking member apertures 144, the securing member apertures 132, and the ring 102, a flat first end 146 of the cable tie 106 is inserted into a cable tie locking device 148 disposed on the opposing second end 150 of the cable tie 106 to secure the ring 102 onto the ring security display hanger 100, as shown in FIG. 13.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a ring security display hanger according to the present invention may be used for anti-theft, tracking and inventory control, while providing the design that is convenient for merchants to display their rings.

In general, the foregoing description is provided for exemplary and illustrative purposes; the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Rather, those skilled in the art will appreciate that additional modifications, as well as adaptations for particular circumstances, will fall within the scope of the invention as herein shown and described and of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A ring security display hanger comprising: a body member having front and rear surfaces, and a securing aperture defined thereon; anda securing member configured to be inserted into the securing aperture and for engagement with the body member, the securing member including: a head;a tail integrally attached to the bottom of the head;first and second ring holders for accommodating and receiving a ring, the first and second ring holders configured to move laterally towards and away from the center of the head; anda locking device positioned above the first and second ring holders for receiving and locking the tail to secure the ring to the ring security display hanger.

2. The ring security display hanger of claim 1, wherein a foldline is defined between the head and the tail of the securing member, allowing the tail to be bendable along the foldline such that the tail can be inserted into the securing aperture of the body member.

3. The ring security display hanger of claim 1, wherein the first and second ring holders are positioned slightly above the front surface of the head such that a gap is created between each ring holder and the front surface of the head.

4. The ring security display hanger of claim 1, wherein a display aperture is defined on the body member for engaging the ring security display hanger with a display hook/rod for retail display.

5. The ring security display hanger of claim 1, wherein the first and second ring holders are configured to rotate together, thereby allowing the ring to also rotate once it is secured to the first and second ring holders.

6. The ring security display hanger of claim 1, wherein the ring security display hanger further includes a hook that is integrally attached to the top of the body member.

7. The ring security display hanger of claim 1, further comprising a security tag.

8. The ring security display hanger of claim 7, wherein a tag member is defined on the rear surface of the body member for applying a security tag thereonto.

9. The ring security display hanger of claim 7, wherein the security tag is attached to the front surface of the body member.

10. The ring security display hanger of claim 7, wherein the security tag is used for tracking, inventory control and security.

11. The ring security display hanger of claim 7, wherein the security tag is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

12. The ring security display hanger of claim 1, wherein the securing member further includes a security tag member, which is integrally formed on top of the head.

13. The ring security display hanger of claim 1, wherein the ring security display hanger is made out of plastic.

14. A method of securing a ring to a ring security display hanger, the method comprising: bending a tail of a securing member such that it is substantially perpendicular to a head of the securing member;moving first and second ring holders towards a center of the head;inserting the tail through a securing aperture of a body member from rear until the head engages with the body member;extending the first and second ring holders extended away from the center of the head 30 to adjust the holders to fit the ring thereon;passing the tail through the ring and inserted it into a locking device; andcutting a portion of the tail that protrudes outwardly from the locking device for displaying purpose.

15. A ring security display hanger comprising: a body member having front and rear surfaces, and a securing aperture having at least one dedent; anda securing member configured to be inserted into the securing aperture, the securing member including first and second ring holders for accommodating and receiving a ring;a locking member configured to be inserted into the securing aperture and for engagement with the securing member, the locking member having a finger extending from a surface of the locking member, the finger configured to be disposed within the at least one dedent once the locking member engages with the securing member to prevent the locking and securing members from rotating along the body member; anda cable tie having first and second ends, the cable tie configured to secure the locking and securing members onto the body member and secure the ring onto the securing member.

16. The ring security display hanger of claim 15, wherein the securing member further includes a rear surface that engages with the front surface of the body member and a convex front surface that extends between first and second ring holders of the securing member.

17. The ring security display hanger of claim 16, wherein the securing member further includes a pair of clips and a guidepost positioned between the clips.

18. The ring security display hanger of claim 17, wherein the pair of clips and the guidepost extend outwardly from the rear surface of the securing member.

19. The ring security display hanger of claim 15, wherein the securing member and the locking member further include a pair of securing member apertures and a pair of locking member apertures, respectively, for the cable tie to be inserted therethrough to secure the locking and securing members onto the body member and secure the ring onto the securing member.

20. The ring security display hanger of claim 15, wherein the cable tie further includes a cable tie locking device disposed on the second end of the cable tie.