A merchandise display hook has a time
delay mechanism for increasing the amount of time required to dispense items of merchandise from a display arm, while permitting bulk loading of the items of merchandise onto the display arm. The time
delay mechanism includes a housing, a
helix extending from the housing in a rearward direction, and a rotatable
handle extending from the housing in a forward direction. Rotation of the
handle causes the
helix to rotate about the display arm to thereby dispense the items of merchandise from the display arm in the forward direction. The time
delay mechanism further includes a lock mechanism having a secured position for attaching the time delay mechanism to the display arm and an unsecured position for allowing the time delay mechanism to be detached from the display arm to permit bulk loading. A first drive gear may be affixed to the
handle that engages a reducing gear that in turn engages a second drive gear affixed to the
helix so that the second drive gear turns the helix slower than the handle turns the first drive gear.