Safety device for store display stand pin

Abstract

Safety device (1) for a shop display pin comprising two parts (2, 3) movable relative to each other to be opened or closed against each other, and a locking and unlocking system (4) for the closure of the two parts, characterized in that its interior comprises several housings (50 to 53) for receiving a pin, the cross-section of each of the housings being of distinct dimensions.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Safety device for a spindle store display The invention relates to a security device against the theft of self-service items arranged on store display racks. This type of security device is attached not to the items but to the pins. The purpose of such a device is to prevent one or more items from being removed from a display pin at a time with the intention of stealing them. Thus, this security device can be placed directly on the front in front of the first item, thus preventing any direct removal of the item by the customer; the store staff must perform an action of unlocking the device to remove it from the spindle in order to take the item, then replace the device and lock it again. In another layout configuration, the security device is placed and locked on a spindle at a certain depth, between a first or a few items on the front which remain freely available to the consumer, and the rest of the items on the shelf which cannot then be removed from the spindle. This makes it possible to put the right quantity of items according to the sales flow and to expose too many products to the risk of theft. Such a known security device comprises two parts connected to each other in a pivoting manner and each comprising a semi-cylindrical groove; in the closed position of the two parts, the grooves form a housing of shape and section complementary to the pin on which the device is closed. In addition, the device comprises a system for locking and unlocking the closure of the device, such as a magnetic system, which is capable of cooperating for its unlocking with a powerful magnet of a standard anti-theft device detaching tool also called a “magnetic key”. However, today, all existing safety devices are designed for a given pin diameter. However, it often happens that a store has several types of displays with pins of different diameters. Therefore, it is necessary for a store to ensure that it procures a sufficient number of safety devices that match the diameter of all the pins of the displays already installed in the store. Furthermore, the devices are not differentiated, or only very difficultly, with regard to the associated pin diameter (the diameter from one pin to another varies only by one to three millimeters, it is difficult to distinguish it with the naked eye). This is why current safety devices are not very practical for staff who, if they do not have the device of the appropriate diameter available when setting up on the shelf, must go and get some, which of course constitutes a waste of time. The invention therefore aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a safety device for a store display pin which comprises two parts which are movable relative to each other (relative to a pivot axis) to be opened or closed against each other so as, in the position of use, to enclose a display pin, and a system for locking and unlocking the closure of the two parts, the device being characterized in that its interior comprises several housings for receiving a pin, the section of each of the housings being of distinct dimensions (to accommodate a pin of different dimensional section depending on the housing). Thus, the device integrates several housings of different dimensions which allows it to adapt to different sizes of spindle sections. A single device can be installed on different spindle diameters. Personnel therefore always have the appropriate device immediately available to carry out their task. According to one feature, the housings are movable in the safety device, in particular the receiving housing intended for the pin being positioned in the immediate vicinity of the pivot axis of the two parts. According to one feature, the housings are arranged in a cylindrical magazine which is capable of being movable in rotation. The arrangement of the housings in this way provides a compact footprint. In particular, the housings are open on the periphery of the magazine, on the one hand, radially, and on the other hand, at the level of the two cylindrical end bases of said magazine. According to another characteristic, one of the parts contains the magazine which preferably projects in the open position of the safety device, while the other part has inside it a so-called complementary profile adapted to match the complementary shape of each of the housings and preferably has a concave shape to house the projecting part of the magazine in the closed position of the safety device. According to a particular characteristic, each housing has a general U-shape intended to accommodate a pin beyond its cylindrical half-volume. Thus, the pin is already well held in the housing, and it is sufficient for the other part of the safety device, the so-called closing part, to come to bear on at least part of the remaining area of ​​the pin, even if it is not on the entire remaining arc of the circle, so that the pin is (firmly blocked. Advantageously, each housing is associated with an element for marking the dimension of the section of said housing (and consequently for marking the diameter of a pin), in particular by at least one different number for each housing and corresponding to a distinct pin diameter. In a preferred embodiment, the safety device comprises four housings, in particular for respective pin diameters of 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm and $ mm. The housings have a section whose geometry is preferably adapted to the geometric section of the spindle (generally circular). According to another characteristic, the two parts are movable along a pivot axis and in that the receiving housing among the set of housings (of the magazine), which is intended to accommodate a pin is the one located laterally in the immediate vicinity of the pivot axis (and not for the magazine the one located in the upper part opposite the middle zone of the closing part in the closed position of the safety device). Advantageously, the two parts are connected to each other by a pivot axis which is provided with a return spring for instantaneous opening of the two parts once the device is unlocked, preferably the stiffness of the spring is adapted to limit the opening angle between the two parts to an angle not exceeding 90°. Advantageously, the locking and unlocking system comprises a projecting member which is integral with one of the parts (preferably that of the second part provided with the magazine), the member comprising (in its interior) a magnetic part capable of being movable and the member being capable (by a distal support surface) of cooperating with a detachment tool (of the magnet type) to cause (by mobility of the magnetic part) unlocking. Preferably, the locking and unlocking system comprises a notched tab secured to one of the parts and notches arranged in a recess of the other part, the notched tab being intended to be introduced into the recess and to cooperate mutually with the notches (the notched tab and the notches in particular have cut sides of opposite inclination for their mutual engagement). The multiplicity of notches allows in particular tightening of the spindle with or without play. Preferably, one of the parts has on its external face facing the external environment a concave surface facilitating the positioning of a user's finger to press on said part and close the safety device. The invention also relates to a method for implementing the aforementioned security device of the invention for arranging and locking the security device on a display pin, characterized in that the method comprises a step of opening the security device, a step of selecting the housing for receiving the pin from among the available housings of different dimensions, preferably the housings being movable, the selection step optionally comprises moving the appropriate receiving housing (in the immediate vicinity of the pivot axis), and a step of bringing the receiving housing into cooperation with the spindle, as well as a step of closing the safety device. The present invention is now described with the aid of examples which are solely illustrative and in no way limitative of the scope of the invention, and from the attached illustrations, in which: - [Fig.1] represents a perspective and side view of a safety device according to the invention in its closed position. - [Fig.2] is a perspective and top view of the safety device of [Fig.1] in its open position. [[Fig.3]] is another perspective view of the safety device 1 in its open position. - [[Fig.4]] is a side view of [Fig.2]. - [[Fig.5]] corresponds to a sectional view of [Fig.4] showing the different housings of the store. - [[Fig.6]] shows a schematic view in bird's eye perspective of the security device locked onto a store display pin. - [[Fig.7]] corresponds to a side view of [Fig.6]. The safety device 1 of the invention illustrated in the figures is intended to be installed on a store display spindle 10 as schematically illustrated in figures 6 and 7. The safety device | envelops the entire cylindrical periphery of the longitudinal spindle 10 over part of its length. The safety device 1 is intended to adapt to different pin cross-section dimensions. In the example shown, the safety device 1 makes it possible to adapt to four different pin cross-section dimensions, in particular pins with a circular cross-section and a diameter of 5 mm, or 6 mm, or 7 mm or 8 mm. The safety device 1] comprises two parts 2 and 3 which are movable relative to each other to be opened or closed, a locking and unlocking system 4 to lock the closure of the two parts 2 and 3 and allow them to be opened, and a plurality of housings 50 to 53 to accommodate the pin 10 depending on its diameter. The first part 2, called the receiving part, comprises the plurality of housings 50 to 53. The second part 3, called the closing part, is capable of being closed on the receiving part 2 to trap the pin 10 around its longitudinal body. In the open position of the two receiving parts 2 and [closing 3, the safety device 1 is open. In the closed and therefore locked position of the two receiving parts 2 and closing 3, the safety device 1 is closed. Advantageously, as will be seen later, the locking and unlocking system 4 is designed so as to either firmly clamp the pin 10 without the possibility of sliding on it, or to trap the pin 10 with reduced play to allow the safety device to slide on it. In the latter case, the operator, for example, threads several articles onto the spindle then places the safety device 1 by closing it without locking it in position on the spindle and replenishes the front with other articles; once the articles at the bottom of the spindle are clamped or spaced as desired, the safety device 1 having been able to be translated if necessary, and the safety device is in the exact expected location on the spindle, the operator fully locks the safety device 1 which is completely locked in position without the possibility of moving or sliding. The two receiving 2 and closing 3 parts are articulated relative to each other along a longitudinal pivot axis 20. The pivot axis 20 is preferably associated with a return spring 21. The return spring 21 has a rest position which corresponds to the position when the safety device 1 is fully open, and is forced into the closed position of the safety device. The return spring 21 allows, when the unlocking has been actuated, to automatically open the safety device 1 without manipulation by the operator. In addition, the return spring 21 has a stiffness which is adapted to the limit opening angle of the safety device 1. In particular, the limit opening angle of the closing part 3 relative to the general (top) opening plane P of the receiving part 2 ([Fig.4]), can be of the order of 90° so that it is easier and faster for the operator to close the safety device 1.Indeed, when the safety device 1 is taken in hand in its open state, it is the receiving part 2 which is grasped while the closing part 3 at right angles to the receiving part 2 as illustrated in [Fig.4], is sufficient to allow the safety device to be engaged around the pin 10 and is placed just at finger height; the operator then only has to close his hand which presses directly on the external face of the closing part 3 and pivots said closing part 3 until it cooperates with the locking system 4. The locking and unlocking system 4 which will be described later in more detail comprises a member 40 which projects from the receiving part 2 and opposite the pivot axis 20. The two receiving parts 2 and closing parts 3 form two half-shells. They have joining lines or zones which cooperate together so that in the closed position of the two half-shells, the safety device 1 is completely closed. In the closed position of the two receiving parts 2 and closing parts 3, only one passage (subsequently referenced 33) passes through from one side to the other of the safety device and parallel to the pivot axis 20 (and in the immediate vicinity of said pivot axis 20). In the closed position of the two receiving parts 2 and closing parts 3, the pin 10 is entirely trapped inside the two half-shells (inside the passage 33). Reception area 2 includes accommodations 50 to 53. Advantageously, the housings 50 to 53 are spaced from each other while being grouped according to a cylindrical magazine 5. The housings 50 to 53 are presented in the magazine 5 in the form of grooves extending over the entire length of the cylinder of the magazine while being open in a radial direction towards the opposite center of the cylinder and open at the two end bases 5A and SB of the cylinder. The end bases SA and SB of the cylindrical magazine extend in parallel planes and opposite the respective side walls 22A and 22B of the half-shell of the receiving part 2. The pin 10 is intended to be received in one of the housings 50 to 53 whose dimension corresponds to the diameter of said pin. The pin is intended to be placed in abutment against the bottom of the housing. The housings 50 to 53 are preferably regularly spaced. Preferably, each of the housings 50, 51, 52 and 53 is associated with a marking element R to identify the dimension of the section of each of the housings (and consequently to mark the diameter of a pin). For example, the marking element R is a number which corresponds to the diameter of the pin, this number being indicated on either side of each housing. Here, the housing 50 corresponds to a diameter of 5 mm, the housing 51 corresponds to 7 mm, that 52 corresponds to 6 mm and the lateral housing 53 for receiving the pin 10 corresponds to a diameter of 8 mm. The housings (grooves) 50 to 53 have a generally U-shaped section whose opening opens onto the peripheral periphery of the cylindrical magazine 5. The housings 50 to 53 have a shape adapted to the geometry of the section of the pin 10. The pins being generally circular, the bottom of the U of the housings 50 to 53 is rounded and concave and the closing part 3 comprises a complementary profile 30 which is also rounded so that in the closed position of the safety device, the housing 53 and the complementary profile 30 form a circular section. Advantageously, the magazine 5 is rotatable. The magazine 5 is fixed by a central rotation axis 54 to the cylinder and the two opposite ends of which are secured to the opposite side walls 22A and 22B of the half-shell of the receiving part 2. The hollow half-shell shape of the receiving part 2 makes it possible to house the cylindrical magazine 5. The rotation axis 54 is parallel to the bottom of the receiving part 2. The rotation axis 54 is preferably located approximately halfway up the depth of the half-shell between the bottom of the receiving part 2 and the opening plane P. The rotation axis 54 is parallel to the pivot axis 20 of the two receiving parts 2 and closing parts 3. The rotation axis 54 of the magazine 5 is offset in height relative to the pivot axis 20 of the two receiving parts 2 and closing parts 3. The rotation of the magazine 5 is carried out manually. The cylindrical magazine 5 ([Fig.4]) projects relative to the general opening plane P of the half-shell of the receiving part 2 (which is controlled to manually rotate the magazine 5 and po- position the housing intended to accommodate the pin 10 in an ad hoc manner). The closing part 3 is hollow in a half-shell ([Fig.3]) to accommodate, in the closed position of the safety device 1, the part of the magazine 5 which projects relative to the general opening plane P of the receiving part 2. Preferably, the interior of the closing part 3 (the bottom of the half-shell) comprises ribs 31 ([Fig. 3]) which have the purpose in particular of stiffening said closing part 3 and of coming to bear firmly against the pin 10 in the totally locked position preventing any extraction of the pin by longitudinal traction on it. When the operator presses on the safety device 1 to close it and tighten it against the pin 10, the ribs 31 oppose the risk of deformation of the closing part which would tend to twist when pressing very hard. The housing among the set of housings 50 to 53, which is intended to accommodate the pin 10, here the housing 53, is the one positioned in the immediate vicinity of the pivot axis 20 of the two receiving 2 and closing 3 parts. The receiving housing 53 intended to accommodate the pin 10 is thus closest to the closing part 3 (when it closes). The housing 53 for receiving the pin has its opening which is located in a plane perpendicular to the general opening plane P of the receiving part 2. The housing 53 for receiving the pin is located opposite the locking and unlocking system 4. The receiving housing 53 intended to accommodate the pin 10 is therefore placed in top view of the cylindrical magazine 5, laterally (and not on top of the magazine). Consequently, as soon as the closing part 3 closes, the pin 10 is immediately captive.In addition, this arrangement makes the implementation gestures easier and allows for faster installation of the safety device 1. Indeed, the operator can grasp the safety device 1 with his palm facing downwards or in a vertical plane (instinctive gesture for grasping an object and helping to achieve a good grip, instead of the palm facing upwards), the locking and unlocking system 4 is then wedged in the palm of the hand while the fingers can cover the top of the magazine 5 without any discomfort since the reception housing 53 is located opposite the locking and unlocking system 4, and consequently opposite the palm of the hand, therefore in the fully open part of the hand. The introduction of the pin 10 into the housing 53 is done automatically (instinctively), the operator only having to press with his fingers on the closing part 3. . The closing part 3 ([Fig.3]) has two opposite lateral closing cheeks 32A and 32B which have, near the pivot axis 20, also the complementary profile 30 (from the inside of said closing part 3, to fit the pin). The profile of the free edge of the two cheeks 32A and 32B has a complementary profile to the section (at the bottom) of the housings 50 to 53 at least in two diametrically opposed zones to trap the pin 10 in intimate contact in the fully closed position of the safety device. The complementary profile 30 and the bottom of the housings are of shapes complementary to the section of the pin 10. The closing part 3 closes on the receiving part 2 by embedding the side cheeks 32A and 32B inside and against the side walls 22A and 22B of the receiving part 2, to close the entire safety device leaving only the through passage 33 for the pin 10. The two lateral closing cheeks 32A and 32B have a free closing edge whose profile for constituting the passage 33 makes it possible to match the pin 10 in the closed position of said closing part 3. In particular, in a lateral section view of the closing part 3 (in particular figures 1 and 4), the free edge for constituting the passage 33 has a profile which begins in a linear form 33A from its junction edge with the receiving part 2 at the level of the pivot axis 20 and continues with the complementary profile 30 which is curved and concave. Beyond the passage 33 (for the pin 10), the free edge of the lateral cheeks 32A and 32B extends for example in a linear form 34 which is intended to be covered laterally by the side walls 22A and 22B of the receiving part 2 in the closed position of the safety device. The external face of the closing part 3 may comprise recesses 35 ([Fig.6]) to save weight of manufacturing material. Preferably, the external face of the closing part 3, in the immediate vicinity of the end edge which is opposite the pivot axis 20, comprises a concave bearing surface or a recess 36 facilitating the positioning of a finger of the user, in particular to press on the closing part 3 when closing the device at the level of the zone intended to cooperate with the locking and unlocking system 4. The locking and unlocking system 4 comprises the projecting member 40 in which is housed (not visible in the figures) a magnetic retaining part which is capable of being movable by being associated with a spring also arranged inside the projecting member. The internal retaining part of the member 40 further comprises ([Fig.2]) notches 41 which open externally to the member 40 on the side of the receiving part 2 in a recess 42 arranged at the limit of the end of the receiving part 2 and of the member 40. In addition, the closing part 3 comprises at the distal end opposite the pivot axis 20, a notched tab 37 which extends (in the closed position of the safety device) in a plane substantially perpendicular to the general plane of the closing part 3. The recess 42 of the receiving part 2 is intended in the closed position of said receiving part 2 to receive the notched tab 37 of the part closing 3 by cooperating mutually with the notches 41 opening into said recess 42. The notched tab 37 and the notches 41 have cut sides of opposite inclination for their mutual engagement (and thus avoid withdrawal of the notched tab in the opposite direction). The notches 41 are arranged one above the other in the recess 42 (in a direction perpendicular to the opening plane P). The projecting member 40 has a distal external face 43 which is intended to cooperate with a standard anti-theft device detaching tool (not shown) consisting of a powerful magnet to cause the opening of the two receiving 2 and closing 3 parts. In the position of support of the member 40 against the detaching tool, the magnetic part of the movable retaining part is attracted towards the detaching tool causing the movement of the retaining part with the notches 41 in the direction opposite to the notched tab 37, which releases the coupling of the notches 41 with the notched tab 37 of the closing part 3 and thus unlocks the closing of the two receiving 2 and closing 3 parts. The plurality of notches extending along the length of the tab 37, and of mutually cooperating notches 41, makes it possible to adapt the degree of closure of the safety device 1 and the imprisonment of the pin 10 with or without play. When the notched tab 37 is fully inserted into the recess 42, the pin 10 is completely captive in the associated housing 53 without possible play, preventing any sliding of the safety device 1 along the pin 10. In an intermediate position of cooperation of the tab 37 with the notches 41, the safety device 1 is closed around the pin 10 and locked with a play allowing the translation of the safety device 1 along the pin. The use of safety device 1 is as follows. The safety device 1 being open, the user takes hold of it, turns the magazine 5 if necessary in order to arrange the housing of the correct diameter dimension to receive the pin 10, on the side of the magazine near the pivot axis 20. Then, the user positions the safety device 1 around the pin 10 by making the lateral housing, here the housing 53, cooperate around the pin 10. Finally, the user, in particular by pressing with his thumb on the support surface 36, folds the closing part 3 onto the magazine 5 and therefore onto the receiving part 2, the notched tab 37 then being introduced into the recess 42 by cooperating with the notches 41. By pressing fully, the notched tab 37 sinks completely into the recess 42 locking the closure of the safety device 1 without play between the pin 10 and the housing 53.The spindle 10 is then completely enclosed, the safety device being locked in position on the spindle.

Claims

Claims

1. Safety device (1) for store display pin comprising two parts (2, 3) movable relative to each other for be opened or closed against each other, and a locking system locking and unlocking (4) of the closure of the two parts, ca- characterized in that its interior includes several housings (50, 51, 52, 53) for receiving a spindle, the section of each of the housings being of distinct dimension.

2. Safety device according to claim 1, characterized in that the housings (50, 51, 52, 53) are movable in the device of safety, in particular the receiving housing intended for the pin being to be positioned in the immediate vicinity of a pivot axis of the two parts.

3. Safety device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housings (50, 51, 52, 53) are arranged according to a store (5) cy- lindrique which is able to be mobile in rotation.

4. Safety device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the dwellings (50, 51, 52, 53) are open on the periphery of the store (5), on the one hand, radially, and on the other hand, at the level of the two cylindrical end bases (5A, 5B) of said magazine.

5. Safety device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that one of the parts (2) contains the store (5) which is preferably in projection in the open position of the safety device, while the other part (2) has inside it a so-called complementary profile (30) adapted to fit the complementary shape of each of the dwellings and preferably has a concave shape to accommodate the projecting portion from the store in the closed position of the safety device.

6. Safety device according to any one of the preceding claims- preceding, characterized in that each housing (50, 51, 52, 53) has a general U shape intended to accommodate a pin beyond of its cylindrical half-volume.

7. Safety device according to any one of the preceding claims- preceding, characterized in that each housing (50, 51, 52, 53) is associated with a locating element (R) of dimension of the section of said housing, in particular by at least one different figure for each housing and corresponding to a distinct pin diameter.

8. Safety device according to any one of the preceding claims- preceding, characterized in that it comprises four housings (50, 51, 52, 53), in particular for respective pin diameters of 5 mm, 6 mm, 7mm and 8mm.

9. A safety device according to any one of the preceding claims- preceding, characterized in that the two parts (2, 3) are movable according to a pivot axis (20) and in that the receiving housing (53) among all the housing units (50, 51, 52, 53), which is intended to acc- picking a pin is located laterally in the immediate vicinity of the axis pivoting (20).

10. A safety device according to any one of the preceding claims- preceding, characterized in that the two parts (2, 3) are connected to each other the other by a pivot axis (20) which is provided with a return spring (21), preferably the spring stiffness is adapted to limit the angle opening between the two parts at an angle not exceeding 90°.

11. | Safety device according to any one of the preceding claims preceding, characterized in that the locking and unlocking system- rusting (4) comprises a projecting member (40) which is integral with one parts (2), the member comprising a magnetic part capable of being mobile and the member being able to cooperate with a detachment tool for cause unlocking.

12. A safety device according to any one of the preceding claims- preceding, characterized in that the locking and unlocking system- rusting (4) comprises a notched tab (37) secured to one of the parts (3) and notches (41) arranged in a recess (42) of the other part (2), the notched tab (37) being intended to be introduced into the recess (42) and to cooperate mutually with the notches (41).

13. Safety device according to any one of the preceding claims- preceding, characterized in that one of the parts (3) has on its face external with respect to the external environment a concave surface (36) favoring the positioning of a user's finger.

14. Method of implementing a safety device (1) according to one of any of the preceding claims for arranging and locking the safety device on a display pin, characterized in that it includes a step of opening the safety device, a step of selection of the spindle receiving housing from among the housings to arrangement of different dimensions, preferably the accommodations being movable, the selection step possibly includes the de- placement of the appropriate receiving housing, and a stage of implementation cooperation of the receiving accommodation with only one step of closing the security device.