Locking unit for product display hooks

Abstract

This invention provides a locking unit for product display hooks that can deter theft of high-value items without requiring them to be placed in display cases or fitted with security tags. [Solution] The locking unit 60 comprises a support portion 61 and a sliding portion 62 that can move along the front-rear direction relative to the support portion 61 via a slide rail 100. The support portion 61 comprises a pair of shelf brackets 70 and a first connecting member 74, and the sliding portion 62 comprises a pair of side members 90 and a second connecting member 94. The first connecting member 74 and the second connecting member 94 can be locked and unlocked by a key member 97. The locking unit 60 can be in a locked state in which the first connecting member 74 and the second connecting member 94 are locked and the product cannot be removed, and in an unlocked state in which the first connecting member 74 and the second connecting member 94 are unlocked and the product can be removed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lock unit for a merchandise display hook including an attachment portion attached to a horizontal bar of a merchandise display fixture, and a rod-shaped arm portion extending from the attachment portion and from which a merchandise is suspended.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when displaying high-value merchandise, a showcase may be used. An example is described in Patent Document 1 previously filed by the present applicant. According to this, it is a showcase disposed on a base plate portion of a fixture main body, and includes a front wall portion, an upper wall portion, a left side wall portion, and a right side wall portion. The front wall portion includes a plurality of front pillar portions erected on the base plate portion, an upper rail member connecting upper end portions of the front pillar portions, a lower rail member disposed on the base plate portion facing the upper rail member, and a sliding door set disposed between the opposing upper rail member and lower rail member. The sliding door set is composed of two sliding door bodies, and a push lock is attached to the upper skirt portion of the front sliding door body.

[0003] Also, when using a merchandise display hook (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-85213, FIGS. 5, 6, and 8) including an attachment portion attached to a horizontal bar of a merchandise display fixture, and a rod-shaped arm portion extending from the attachment portion and from which a merchandise is suspended, an anti-theft tag is attached to the merchandise to deter theft.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the case of a showcase like the one described in Patent Document 1, the goods must be completely enclosed inside, resulting in a complex structure and potentially requiring a large installation space. Furthermore, in the case of attaching security tags to the product display hooks described in Patent Document 2, while the audible alerts from the security tags can deter theft, there is a risk that theft cannot be structurally deterred.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a locking unit for a product display hook that can deter theft of high-value goods without the need to place them in a showcase, attach security tags, or otherwise. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The invention described in claim 1 is used in a product display hook comprising a mounting portion attached to a horizontal bar of a product display fixture and a rod-shaped arm portion extending from the mounting portion through which products are inserted and suspended. It comprises a support part supported by the aforementioned product display fixture, and a sliding part that can move along the front-rear direction relative to the support part via a slide rail, The support portion comprises a pair of shelf brackets and a first connecting member that spans across the tip ends of the pair of shelf brackets and is capable of covering the tip end of the arm portion of the product display hook from above. The sliding portion comprises a pair of side members attached to the slide rail, and a second connecting member that spans across the tip of the side members and can cover the tip of the arm portion of the product display hook from below. The first connecting member and the second connecting member can be locked and unlocked by a key member. The first connecting member and the second connecting member are locked together, preventing the product from being removed. The device can also be in a locked state, where the first connecting member and the second connecting member are released from locking together, allowing the product to be removed.

[0008] According to this design, a first connecting member that can cover the tip of the arm from above and a second connecting member that can cover the tip of the arm from below are locked together with a key member, creating a locked state that prevents the product from being removed. This allows the use of existing product display hooks on product display fixtures, while deterring theft of high-value items without the need to place them in a showcase or attach security tags.

[0009] Furthermore, the side member and the second connecting member are connected by overlapping them in the vertical direction and fastening them with screws. The shelf bracket is provided with a horizontally extending return portion. The return portion can shield the area where the side member and the second connecting member are screwed together.

[0010] According to this design, the return portion shields the screw-fastened portion between the side member and the second connecting member, thereby deterring the theft of goods by preventing the second connecting member from being removed.

[0011] Furthermore, a sample hook is attached to the second connecting member, and the arm portion of the product display hook and the arm portion of the sample hook are arranged to be on the same line.

[0012] According to this, sample hooks and product display hooks can be used to display products without changing their display position in the up, down, left, or right directions.

[0013] Furthermore, a bar member is stretched between the pair of shelf brackets. The bar member is positioned above the mounting portion of the product display hook attached to the horizontal bar, The bar member comprises a main body and bar locking portions disposed at both ends of the main body, The shelf bracket is provided with a locking hole into which the bar locking portion can be locked. The bar locking portion and the locking hole are locked together. The bar member can be rotated about the left - right direction axis to change the locking mode between the bar locking portion and the locking hole, thereby enabling the change of the position in the vertical and front - rear directions. It can take a first state where it can interfere with the merchandise display hook, and a second state where the merchandise display hook can be removed.

[0014] According to this, in the first state, by interfering the bar member with the merchandise display hook, it is possible to prevent the act of stealing merchandise by removing the merchandise display hook. In the second state, it is possible to increase or decrease the number of merchandise display hooks to be attached and change the display layout of the merchandise.

[0015] Further, on the side member, in the first state, at least an interference portion that can interfere with the upper surface of at least one of the main body portion and the bar locking portion is provided.

[0016] According to this, by interfering the side member above the bar member, it is possible to prevent the removal of the merchandise display hook.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of a merchandise display fixture to which the lock unit of the display hook in one embodiment of the present invention in the locked state is applied. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of the same embodiment in the unlocked state. [Figure 3] It is a side cross - sectional view of the same embodiment in the locked state. [Figure 4] It is a side cross - sectional view of the same embodiment in the unlocked state. [Figure 5] (a) is a plan view and (b) is a partially enlarged view of (a) in the locked state of the same embodiment. [Figure 6] It is an exploded perspective view of the same embodiment. [Figure 7] (a) is the locked state, (b) is the unlocked state, (c) is the state where the cross - bar is rotated, and (d) is the state where the merchandise display hook is removed in the operation explanatory view of the same embodiment. [Figure 8] (a) Perspective view and (b) plan view of the portion where the side member and the second connecting member are screwed together, with the return portion shielding it. [Figure 9] (a) Perspective view and (b) plan view of the portion where the side member and the second connecting member are screwed together, with the return portion not shielding it.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0018] An embodiment of the lock unit of the display hook in the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In the following description, the directions of the arrows attached to each drawing are defined as follows: F for front, B for rear, R for right, L for left, U for up, and D for down.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 and the like, the lock unit 60 is disposed on the furniture 10 for commodity display.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 and the like, the furniture 10 for commodity display includes a main body frame 20, a lock unit 60, and a cross bar unit 130.

[0021] The main body frame 20 includes a base frame 30, a support column 40, and a rear panel 50.

[0022] The base frame 30 is made of metal and has an outer shape formed in a quadrangular prism shape. It is arranged at the left and right ends of the furniture 10 for commodity display with its longitudinal direction along the front-rear direction. An adjuster 31 for adjusting the installation height with the installation surface is attached to the lower surface of the base frame 30. Support columns 40 are erected from the rear end portions of each base frame 30.

[0023] The support column 40 is made of metal and is formed in a square tube shape. It is connected at the rear end portions of each base frame 30. A plurality of locking holes 41, which penetrate from the outer surface to the inner surface and are formed as rectangular through holes long in the vertical direction, are arranged along the up-down, left-right directions on the front side wall surface of the support column 40.

[0024] The rear panel 50 is made of synthetic resin, is formed in a rectangular flat shape, and is installed so as to span between the left and right support columns 40.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, the locking unit 60 includes a support portion 61 and a sliding portion 62.

[0026] The support section 61 comprises a pair of shelf brackets 70 and a first connecting member 74 that spans the tip ends of the pair of shelf brackets 70.

[0027] The shelf bracket 70 is made of metal and is formed in the shape of a long, flat plate that is elongated in the front-to-back direction. An inverted L-shaped locking hook 71 is provided at the rear end of the shelf bracket 70.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the shelf bracket 70 is attached to the support column 40 by inserting the locking hook 71 into the locking hole 41 and locking it in place.

[0029] When the shelf bracket 70 is attached to the support column 40, the front end (front side) is provided with an overhang 72 that protrudes inward, allowing the first connecting member 74 to be attached.

[0030] The shelf bracket 70 is provided with a locking hole 73 into which the bar locking portion 82, described later, can be locked.

[0031] The locking hole 73 is formed in a roughly rectangular shape, with the rear portion being wider in the vertical direction.

[0032] As shown in Figure 7, the locking hole 73 has a lower horizontal side portion 73a, a rear vertical side portion 73b that rises vertically from the lower horizontal side portion 73a, and an arc-shaped portion 73c formed at the boundary between the sides facing the lower horizontal side portion 73a and the rear vertical side portion 73b.

[0033] The lower horizontal portion 73a and the rear vertical portion 73b are designed to be able to be locked with the bar locking portion 82 of the bar member 80, which will be described later.

[0034] The shelf bracket 70 is provided with a return portion 76 that can shield the screw-fastened portion between the first connecting member 74 and the second connecting member 94, which will be described later.

[0035] The return portion 76 is flat and is formed on the side facing the inside of the shelf bracket 70, by being bent so as to extend horizontally on the shelf bracket 70.

[0036] The fixing part 101 of the slide rail 100 is attached to the inside of the shelf bracket 70. Note that the slide rail 100 is an existing one.

[0037] The first connecting member 74 is made of metal and has a roughly U-shaped cross-section with an opening at the bottom. The first connecting member 74 is bolted to the protruding portion 72 at both ends so as not to obstruct the movement of the sliding portion 62.

[0038] The first connecting member 74 is provided with a lockable piece 75 that can be locked to a locking piece 98 of a key member 97, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the lockable piece 75 is formed by bending it into a substantially L-shape and is erected from the upper surface of the first connecting member 74 so that its front-to-back surface is aligned with the left-to-right direction.

[0039] A bar member 80 is stretched between a pair of shelf brackets 70.

[0040] The bar member 80 comprises a main body portion 81 and bar locking portions 82 arranged at both ends of the main body portion 81.

[0041] The main body 81 is made of metal and is formed in a rectangular tubular shape. The bar locking part 82 is made of synthetic resin and is formed in a roughly U-shape in cross-section. The bar locking part 82 is positioned so that the lower side is open when locked and the rear side is open when unlocked.

[0042] The bar locking portion 82 and the locking hole 73 are locked together, and the bar member 80 is stretched between the pair of shelf brackets 70.

[0043] The sliding portion 62 comprises a pair of side members 90, a second connecting member 94 that spans the tip end of the side members 90, and a key member 97.

[0044] The side member 90 is made of metal and is formed in the shape of a long, flat plate that is elongated in the front-to-back direction. The rear end of the side member 90 is formed to be narrower in width, and in the first state described later, an interference portion 91 is provided on its lower surface that can interfere with the upper surface of the main body portion 81 of the bar member 80.

[0045] When the side member 90 is attached to the support column 40, the tip side (front side) is provided with an overlapping section 92 that protrudes outward, allowing the second connecting member 94 to be attached.

[0046] The movable part 102 of the slide rail 100 is attached to the outside of the side member 90. Note that the slide rail 100 is an existing one.

[0047] The second connecting member 94 is made of metal, has a roughly L-shaped cross-section, and its left and right ends are attached to the overlapping portion 92 by screw fastening in such a way as not to obstruct the movement of the sliding portion 62.

[0048] A bracket 95 to which a key member 97 can be attached is provided on the second connecting member 94. In this embodiment, the bracket 95 is formed in a substantially L-shape, having an upper vertical portion 95a, a lower vertical portion 95b arranged parallel to the upper vertical portion 95a, and a horizontal portion 95c connecting the lower end of the upper vertical portion 95a and the upper end of the lower vertical portion 95b.

[0049] An existing locking member 97 is attached to the upper vertical portion 95a of the bracket 95, with its axis of rotation in the front-rear direction. A flat locking piece 98, which can rotate in response to the operation of the locking member 97, is attached to the locking member 97.

[0050] In this embodiment, the key member 97 is positioned to the left of the locking piece 75 so that it can lock with the locking piece 75 when the locking piece 98 rotates clockwise.

[0051] A net hook 110, which serves as a sample hook, is attached to the second connecting member 94.

[0052] The net hook 110 is an existing one and includes a main body mounting portion 111 that can be attached to the second connecting member 94, a rod-shaped arm portion 112 that extends from the main body mounting portion 111 and from which products are suspended, and a card holder portion 113 that extends from the main body mounting portion 111 and can hold price cards.

[0053] The net hook 110 is attached to the second connecting member 94 at the main body mounting portion 111. In this embodiment, the arm portion 162 of the product display hook 160 and the arm portion 112 of the net hook 110 are arranged to be on the same line.

[0054] The horizontal bar unit 130 comprises a pair of mounting brackets 140 and a horizontal bar 150 that spans the ends of the pair of mounting brackets 140.

[0055] The mounting bracket 140 is made of metal and is formed in a flat plate shape. An inverted L-shaped locking hook 141 is provided at the rear end of the mounting bracket 140.

[0056] As shown in Figures 1-4, the mounting bracket 140 is attached to the support column 40 by inserting the locking hook 141 into the locking hole 41 and locking it in place.

[0057] The horizontal bar 150 is made of metal, formed in a long rectangular tube shape in the vertical direction, and its left and right ends are attached to the tips of the mounting bracket 140.

[0058] A product display hook 160 is attached to the horizontal bar 150.

[0059] The product display hook 160 is an existing type made of metal and, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 6, 7, etc., has a mounting part 161 that is attached to the horizontal bar 150 of the product display fixture 10, and a rod-shaped arm part 162 that extends from the mounting part 161 and from which products are hung.

[0060] The product display hook 160 is attached to the horizontal bar 150 at the mounting portion 161.

[0061] To elaborate on the mounting of the sliding section 62, as shown in Figures 1 to 6, the slide rail 100 is attached to the shelf bracket 70 by a fixed section 101. The movable section 102, which is the tip of the slide rail 100 when it is extended, is connected to the side member 90, allowing the sliding section 62 to move along the front-rear direction as the slide rail 100 extends and retracts.

[0062] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the locking piece 75 and the locking piece 98 are locked together, which locks the first connecting member 74 and the second connecting member 94, restricting the sliding part 62 from moving forward relative to the support part 61. In other words, the sliding part 62 cannot be pulled out, resulting in a locked state where the product cannot be removed.

[0063] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, by rotating the locking piece 98 of the key member 97 in a counterclockwise direction, the locking state between the locked piece 75 and the locking piece 98 is released, the first connecting member 74 and the second connecting member 94 are released, the slide part 62 becomes movable along the front-rear direction relative to the support part 61, and the lock is released, allowing the product to be taken out.

[0064] The usage and function of the locking unit 60 in this embodiment will be explained. In the locked state shown in Figures 1 and 3, the sliding portion 62 is not pulled out, and the locking piece 75 and the locking piece 98 are locked together.

[0065] At this time, as shown in Figure 7(a), the interference portion 91 causes the bar member 80 to interfere with the product display hook 160, making it impossible to remove the product display hook 160. The products suspended from the arm portion 162 are held in place vertically by the first connecting member 74 and the second connecting member 94, thus preventing them from being removed. As shown in Figure 8, the screw-fastened portion between the first connecting member 74 and the second connecting member 94 is also overlapped and shielded by the return portion 76 of the shelf bracket 70, making it impossible to remove the second connecting member 94.

[0066] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the arm portion 162 of the product display hook 160 and the arm portion 112 of the net hook 110 are arranged to be on the same line.

[0067] To pull the sliding part 62 forward, the operator operates the locking member 97.

[0068] The locking piece 98 rotates counterclockwise, releasing the lock between the locked piece 75 and the locking piece 98, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, and the product is released, resulting in an unlocked state where it can be removed. In that state, by pulling the slide portion 62 forward (towards the operator), the slide portion 62 can be extended relative to the support portion 61, as shown in Figures 2 and 4.

[0069] At this time, as shown in Figure 7(b), the interfering part 91 moves from the upper side of the bar member 80, making it possible to move and remove the product display hook 160.

[0070] More specifically, the bar member 80 is rotated 90 degrees around the left-right axis, changing the position of the bar locking portion 82 from being locked to the lower horizontal portion 73a to being locked to the rear vertical portion 73b. As a result, as shown in Figure 7(c), the position of the bar member 80 changes by one side in the upward and rearward directions when viewed from the axial direction, creating a removable gap between the bar member 80 and the product display hook 160, and allowing the display layout to be changed as shown in Figure 7(d).

[0071] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the screw-fastened portion between the first connecting member 74 and the second connecting member 94 is also removed from the shielding of the return portion 76, allowing for screw operation.

[0072] Once the product has been removed, the sliding part 62 is pushed back to the rear, and the locking member 97 is operated to engage the locking piece 75 and the locking piece 98, thereby locking the product and deterring theft.

[0073] The lock unit 60 of this embodiment is used in a product display hook 160 which has a mounting portion 161 attached to a horizontal bar 150 of a product display fixture 10, and a rod-shaped arm portion 162 extending from the mounting portion 161 through which products are inserted and suspended. It comprises a support part 61 supported by a product display fixture 10, and a sliding part 62 that can move along the front-rear direction relative to the support part 61 via a slide rail 100. The support section 61 comprises a pair of shelf brackets 70 and a first connecting member 74 that spans the tip ends of the pair of shelf brackets 70 and is capable of covering the tip end of the arm portion 162 of the product display hook 160 from above. The sliding section 62 comprises a pair of side members 90 attached to the slide rail 100, and a second connecting member 94 that spans the tip of the side members 90 and can cover the tip of the arm section 162 of the product display hook 160 from below. The first connecting member 74 and the second connecting member 94 can be locked and unlocked by the key member 97. The device can be in a locked state where the first connecting member 74 and the second connecting member 94 are locked together and the product cannot be removed, or in an unlocked state where the first connecting member 74 and the second connecting member 94 are released from locking together and the product can be removed.

[0074] According to this, a first connecting member 74 that can cover the tip of the arm portion 162 from above, and a second connecting member 94 that can cover the tip of the arm portion 162 from below, are locked together by a key member 97, creating a locked state that prevents the product from being removed. This allows the product display hooks 160 of the existing product display fixture 10 to be used, while deterring theft of high-value products without the need to place them in a showcase or attach security tags.

[0075] Furthermore, the side member 90 and the second connecting member 94 are connected by overlapping them in the vertical direction and fastening them with screws. The shelf bracket 70 is provided with a horizontally extending return portion 76. The return portion 76 can shield the portion where the side member 90 and the second connecting member 94 are screwed together.

[0076] According to this, the return portion 76 shields the screw-fastened portion between the side member 90 and the second connecting member 94, thereby deterring the theft of the goods by preventing the second connecting member 94 from being removed.

[0077] Furthermore, a net hook 110, which serves as a sample hook, is attached to the second connecting member 94, and the arm portion 162 of the product display hook 160 and the arm portion 112 of the net hook 110 are arranged to be on the same line.

[0078] According to this, products can be displayed using the net hook 110 and the product display hook 160 without changing their display position in the up, down, left, or right directions.

[0079] Furthermore, a bar member 80 is stretched between a pair of shelf brackets 70. A bar member 80 is positioned above the mounting portion 161 of the product display hook 160 attached to the horizontal bar 150. The bar member 80 comprises a main body portion 81 and bar locking portions 82 arranged at both ends of the main body portion 81. The shelf bracket 70 is provided with a locking hole 73 into which the bar locking portion 82 can be locked. The bar locking portion 82 and the locking hole 73 are locked together. The bar member 80 can be rotated about the left-right axis to change the locking mechanism between the bar locking portion 82 and the locking hole 73, thereby allowing its position to be changed in the vertical and front-back directions, and enabling it to take on a first state in which it can interfere with the product display hook 160 and a second state in which the product display hook 160 can be removed.

[0080] According to this, in the first state, by causing the bar member 80 and the product display hook 160 to interfere with each other, the act of removing the product display hook 160 and stealing the products can be deterred, and in the second state, the number of product display hooks 160 that can be attached can be increased or decreased to change the product display layout.

[0081] Furthermore, the side member 90 is provided with an interference portion 91 that can interfere with the upper surface of the main body portion 81 in the first state.

[0082] According to this, by causing the side member 90 to interfere with the upper side of the bar member 80, it is possible to prevent the removal of the product display hook 160.

[0083] The locking unit for the display hook of the present invention is not limited to the above configuration. That is, various design modifications are possible as long as they do not depart from the spirit of the present invention. Examples of modified embodiments are given below.

[0084] For example, although the key member 97 is placed on the second connecting member 94, it is also possible to place the key member 97 on the first connecting member 74. Accordingly, the locking piece 75 can also be placed on the second connecting member 94.

[0085] Furthermore, in the first state, the interference portion 91 of the side member 90 can also be made to interfere with the bar locking portion 82, the main body portion 81, the bar locking portion 82, and the upper surface. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0086] 10. Display fixtures for merchandise 60 Lock Unit 61 Support part 62 Slide section 70 shelf brackets 73 Locking hole 75 Locked piece 76 Return section 80 bar members 81 Main body 82 Bar locking section 90 Side members 91 Interference section 94 Second connecting member 100 slide rails 110 Net Hook 112 Arm section 150 horizontal bar 160 Product Display Hooks 161 Mounting part 162 Arm section

Claims

1. This is used in a product display hook that comprises a mounting part that is attached to a horizontal bar of a product display fixture, and a rod-shaped arm part that extends from the mounting part and through which products are inserted and suspended. It comprises a support part supported by the aforementioned product display fixture, and a sliding part that can move along the front-rear direction relative to the support part via a slide rail, The support portion comprises a pair of shelf brackets and a first connecting member that spans across the tip ends of the pair of shelf brackets and is capable of covering the tip end of the arm portion of the product display hook from above. The sliding portion comprises a pair of side members attached to the slide rail, and a second connecting member that spans the tip of the side members and can cover the tip of the arm portion of the product display hook from below. The first connecting member and the second connecting member can be locked and unlocked by a key member. A locking unit for a product display hook, characterized in that it can take two states: a locked state in which the first connecting member and the second connecting member are locked together and the product cannot be removed, and an unlocked state in which the first connecting member and the second connecting member are released from locking together and the product can be removed.

2. The side member and the second connecting member are connected by overlapping them in the vertical direction and fastening them with screws. The shelf bracket is provided with a horizontally extending return portion. The locking unit for a product display hook according to claim 1, characterized in that the return portion can shield the portion where the side member and the second connecting member are screwed together.

3. A locking unit for a product display hook according to claim 1, characterized in that a sample hook is attached to the second connecting member, and the arm portion of the product display hook and the arm portion of the sample hook are arranged to be on the same line.

4. A bar member is stretched between a pair of shelf brackets, The bar member is positioned above the mounting portion of the product display hook attached to the horizontal bar, The bar member comprises a main body and bar locking portions disposed at both ends of the main body, The shelf bracket is provided with a locking hole into which the bar locking portion can be locked. The bar locking portion and the locking hole are locked together. The locking unit for a product display hook according to claim 1, characterized in that the bar member can be rotated about the left-right axis to change the locking manner between the bar locking portion and the locking hole, thereby changing its position in the vertical and front-back directions, and can take on a first state in which it can interfere with the product display hook and a second state in which the product display hook can be removed.

5. The locking unit for a product display hook according to claim 4, characterized in that the side member is provided with an interference portion that can interfere with at least one of the upper surfaces of the main body portion and the bar locking portion in the first state.

Images