Retail security system
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/GB2026/050295
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-02-28
- Filing Date
- 2026-02-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-09-03
Smart Images
Figure GB2026050295_03092026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Retail Security System
[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates to a retail security system that restricts access to products on a retail display to prevent or deter unauthorised removal of a large number of products in a single action, e.g. shelf sweeping. This invention also relates to a retail display fixture including such a retail security system.
[0004] BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0005] A number of retail security measures are known, for use in retail stores and the like, to deter or prevent the theft of articles or items of merchandise. Different methods may be used to steal items from a retail store. In the case of high value products this may involve the unauthorised removal of a single item. For mid-value products, a shoplifter may try and remove a larger number of items in one action. One such method of removing multiple items in this way is known as shelf sweeping. This involves an individual removing multiple items from a shelf or other display, for example by sweeping their arm across rows of products on a shelf.
[0006] A number of security measures and systems may be put in place in a retail store to prevent the unauthorised removal of high and mid-value products.
[0007] In relation to high value products, a known security measure involves attaching security tags or security cases to an individual product. This process is time consuming both in attaching the tag or case to the product, and subsequently removing the tag or case when the item is purchased. This is, however, cost effective for high value items.
[0008] However, these anti-theft systems and measures may not be suitable for mid-value products, where the time and cost of implementing the security measure may be too great considering the value of the individual products. However, these mid-value products, when stolen in bulk, can still provide a huge loss to the company.
[0009] Therefore, different security measures and systems may be implemented for mid-value items to inhibit such acts from occurring or to slow these acts down. It will be appreciated that it is helpful to at least slow these acts down as the likelihood of the theft being detectedincreases greatly as the time taken to remove the item from the store increases.
[0010] A number of security systems suitable for mid-value products are known in the art. Many of these security systems are configured to attach to a shelf or retail fixture to restrict access to products and deter or prevent the removal of multiple products at one time.
[0011] One such system is described in patent document WO 2008 / 088789 A2. This document describes a merchandise security system which has a series of blocking tiles attached to a rail which slide across a region at a front of a shelf. The blocking tiles allow access to only one row of products at one given time, thereby limiting access to a large number of products displayed on the shelf. This arrangement, therefore, prevents an individual reaching an arm across the shelf and sweeping a large quantity of products from the shelf at one time due to the hindrance of the blocking tiles.
[0012] Another known security system comprises fencing or guards located at the front of a shelf and in between the rows of the products on the shelf. If a person tries to remove many products at one time from the shelf, the fencing around the products inhibits such removal by blocking and separating regions of the shelf and rows of products from each other.
[0013] These known security systems have been found to deter or prevent large scale shelfsweeping. However, there are still drawbacks with many of these systems. For example, some retail stores still have issues with individuals sweeping singular rows of products at a time.
[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved retail security system that overcomes at least one problem associated with the prior art whether referred to herein or otherwise.
[0015] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] A first aspect of the present invention provides a retail security system for restricting access to items in a product display region of a retail display fixture, the retail security system comprising:
[0017] a support rail securable to said retail display fixture;
[0018] a blocking panel coupled to the support rail and extending from the support rail in a direction transverse to an axis of the support rail, the blocking panel being slidable in adirection parallel to the axis of the support rail between a first position to block access to said items in the product display region, and a second position to provide a product access opening aligned with said product display region; and
[0019] a barrier strip coupled to the support rail in a fixed position relative to the support rail, the blocking panel overlapping the barrier strip when the blocking panel is in the first position and the barrier strip extending into the product access opening when the blocking panel is in the second position.
[0020] In preferred embodiments the retail security system comprises a plurality of blocking panels coupled to the support rail. The blocking panels are slidable along the support rail in a direction parallel to the axis of the support rail such that, in use, a gap may be formed between any two neighbouring blocking panels to provide the product access opening aligned with the product display region.
[0021] The support rail has a length in a direction parallel to the axis defined between first and second ends of the support rail. Preferably the barrier strip has a length defined between first and second end of the barrier strip, and in preferred embodiments the length of the barrier strip is substantially the same as the length of the support rail.
[0022] The blocking panel or each of the blocking panels has a height defined between a first edge proximate the support rail and an opposite second edge. The barrier strip has a height defined between a first edge proximate the support rail and an opposite second edge, and preferably the second edge of the barrier strip is disposed between the first and second edges of the blocking panel or of each of the blocking panels. In some embodiments the height of the barrier strip is constant along a length direction of the barrier strip perpendicular to the height direction. In other embodiments the height of the barrier strip varies along a length direction of the barrier strip perpendicular to the height direction.
[0023] In preferred embodiments a hinge mechanism is secured to each of first and second ends of the support rail. Each hinge mechanism preferably comprises a first arm secured to the support rail and a second arm pivotally attached to the first arm and arranged to be secured to a retail display fixture. The hinge mechanism is configured to permit movement of the support rail relative to the retail display fixture between a first position and a second position.
[0024] In some embodiments a hinge mechanism is secured to a first end of the support rail, the hinge mechanism being configured to permit movement of the support rail relative to theretail display fixture about a pivot axis between a first position and a second position, and the pivot axis being perpendicular to the axis of the support rail.
[0025] In embodiments including a hinge mechanism, a locking device may be disposed at one or both of the first and second ends of the support rail, the or each locking device being configured to be movable into an engaged position to retain the support rail in the first position relative to the retail display fixture. In further embodiments the retail security system may further comprise a stay member configured to be movable into an extended position to retain the support rail in the second position relative to the retail display fixture.
[0026] A second aspect of the present invention provides a retail display fixture comprising:
[0027] a first shelf and a second shelf; and
[0028] a retail security system according to the first aspect of the invention secured at a front edge of the first shelf so that the axis of the support rail extends parallel to the front edge of the first shelf.
[0029] In preferred embodiments the first shelf is disposed above the second shelf, and both the blocking panel and the barrier strip extend in a downward direction from support rail to at least partially block an access region of the retail display fixture between the first and second shelves and restrict access to items disposed on an upper surface of the second shelf. Preferably at least two shelf pusher systems are disposed on the upper surface of the second shelf, each shelf pusher system defining a product display region.
[0030] In other embodiments the first shelf is disposed below the second shelf, and both the blocking panel and the barrier strip extend in an upward direction from the support rail to at least partially block an access region of the retail display fixture between the first and second shelves and restrict access to items disposed on an upper surface of the first shelf. Preferably at least two shelf pusher systems are disposed on the upper surface of the first shelf, each shelf pusher system defining a product display region. In some embodiments the barrier strip provides a front guard of the shelf pusher systems, the front guard being arranged to prevent products being pushed over the front edge of the shelf by the shelf pusher system.
[0031] In preferred embodiments a distance between the barrier strip and a rear edge of the shelf is smaller than a distance between the blocking panel and the rear edge of the shelf.In some embodiments of the retail display fixture, in which the retail security system includes a hinge mechanism secured to each of first and second ends of the support rail, a first arm of each hinge mechanism is secured to the support rail and a second arm of each hinge mechanism is connected to the first shelf such that the support rail is movable between a first position in which the blocking panels and barrier strip at least partially block an access region of the retail display fixture between the first and second shelves and a second position in which the blocking panels and barrier strip do not block the access region of the retail display fixture. In preferred embodiments the first arm of the hinge mechanism includes a detent, and a locking device is mounted to a part of the first shelf, the locking device being arranged to move between a locked state, in which a part of the locking device engages with the detent to prevent the support rail moving from the first position to the second position, and an unlocked state, in which the locking device is not engaged with the detent and the support rail is free to move from the first position to the second position. The locking device may comprise a barrel lock. The locking device may comprise a combination lock.
[0032] Preferred and / or optional features of each aspect and embodiment described above may also be used, alone or in appropriate combination, in the other aspects and embodiments also.
[0033] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] The invention will now be further described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference signs are used for like features, and in which:
[0035] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a retail security system according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the security system secured to a shelf, and including a first number of blocking panels;
[0036] Figure 2 is a further perspective view of the retail security system of Figure 1 from behind and below;
[0037] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the retail security system of Figure 1 in a blocking position, and including a second number of blocking panels;Figure 4 is a perspective view of the retail security system of Figure 3 in a refill position;
[0038] Figure 5 is a sectional view of a part of a retail security system according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing a locking mechanism of the security system;
[0039] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a retail security system according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the security system secured to a shelf and in a refill position, the security system comprising a plurality of blocking elements and a barrier strip;
[0040] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the retail security system of Figure 6, showing the security system in a blocking position;
[0041] Figure 8 is a plan view from the front of the retail security system of Figure 7;
[0042] Figure 9 is a sectional view of a part of the retail security system of Figure 7, showing a locking mechanism of the security system, and with the barrier strip removed for clarity;
[0043] Figure 10 is a further view of the locking mechanism of Figure 9, with the security system in the blocking position, and with the barrier strip removed for clarity;
[0044] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the retail security system of Figure 7, showing the security system in a blocking position, and showing a stay of the locking mechanism in a retracted position, and with the barrier strip removed for clarity;
[0045] Figure 12 is a further view of the locking mechanism of Figure 9, with the security system in the refill position, and with the barrier strip removed for clarity;
[0046] Figure 13 is a view of the locking mechanism of Figure 9, with the security system in the refill position, showing a stay of the locking mechanism in an extended position, and with the barrier strip removed for clarity; and
[0047] Figure 14 is view of the locking mechanism of Figure 13, with the security system in the refill position, showing a locking tab of the locking mechanism, and with the barrier strip removed for clarity.DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0048] A retail security system according to the present invention is configured to attach to a retail display fixture to restrict access to items in a product display region.
[0049] The retail display fixture may be any structure suitable for vending, dispensing, holding or storing items or products. In preferred embodiments, the retail display fixture comprises a shelf, peg board or a rack. The product display region is a region of the retail display fixture in or on which the products are supported. Accordingly, in some embodiments the product display region may be the surface of a shelf, or the pegs of a pegboard for example.
[0050] In some embodiments the retail display fixture may include multiple product display regions, each product display region supporting or storing a different type or brand of product. For example, a shelf may display moisturisers or face creams, and each product display region of the shelf may display a different specific product, different brands and / or different sizes of container. The different products may be arranged in rows on the shelf such that the product display regions are arranged next to each other along a length of the shelf.
[0051] The retail security system is arranged to prevent access to the products in all but one of the product display regions of the retail display fixture at any time. For example, the retail security system may be arranged to block access to a first section of a shelf, while allowing access to a second section of the shelf. In this way, the retail security system of the present invention is configured to prevent or deter shelf sweeping.
[0052] In a first embodiment, illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a retail security system 20 is attached to a shelf 2. The shelf 2 comprises a horizontal support surface 4 on which products are supported and displayed in use. In preferred embodiments the horizontal support surface 4 is generally rectangular in shape having opposite front and rear edges 6, 8 and opposite first and second side edges 10. A distance between the front and rear edges 6, 8 defines a depth of the shelf 2, and a distance between the first and second side edges 10 defines a width of the shelf 2. In use, a customer accesses products displayed on the support surface 4 by reaching over the front edge 6 of the shelf 2. The support surface 4 is provided by an upper surface 4 of the shelf 2, and the shelf also includes an opposite lower surface 12.
[0053] The shelf 2 is part of a retail display fixture 14 comprising a plurality of shelves 2, 2’. In this embodiment the shelves 2, 2’ are disposed spaced apart in a generally vertical direction.An access region 16 is defined between adjacent pairs of shelves 2, 2’. Products displayed on one of the shelves 2’ are disposed within the access region 16. The access region 16 preferably comprises one or more product display regions 18. Different product types or different brands of product may be displayed in each of the product display regions 18. The product display regions 18 may, therefore, be arranged side-by-side across the width of the shelf 2, 2’. Each product display region 18 may display or contain a row of products that extends across the depth of the shelf 2, 2’.
[0054] Referring additionally to Figures 3 and 4, the retail security system 20 comprises a support rail 22, a plurality of blocking elements 24, and a barrier strip 26 (not shown in Figures 1 and 2). The support rail 22 is configured to secure or attach the retail security system 20 to the retail display fixture 14. In this embodiment the support rail 22 secures the retail security system 20 to one of the shelves 2 so that the blocking elements 24 at least partially block access to the access region 16 and to products displayed on a second one of the shelves 2’. Preferably the support rail 22 secures the retail security system 20 at or proximate the front edge 6 of the shelf 2.
[0055] In this embodiment the support rail 22 is secured to the lower surface 12 of the shelf 2 proximate the front edge 6. The support rail 22 is elongate and a longitudinal axis of the support rail 22, extending between opposite first and second ends 28, 30 of the support rail 22, extends parallel to the front edge 6 of the shelf 2. Preferably a length of the support rail 22 is substantially equal to the width of the shelf 2 such that the first end 28 of the support rail 22 is proximate the first side edge 10 of the shelf 2 and the second end 30 of the support rail 22 is proximate the second side edge 10 of the shelf 2. In other embodiments the support rail 22 may not extend along the full width of the shelf 2.
[0056] In some embodiments the support rail 22 is secured to the shelf 2 in a fixed position relative to the shelf 2. In these embodiments the support rail 22 may be secured to the shelf 2 using any suitable fixings, such as bolts, screws, adhesive or snap-fit connectors. The support rail 22 may be directly secured to the shelf 2, or may be secured to the shelf 2 with suitable brackets.
[0057] As illustrated, the blocking elements 24 are connected to the support rail 22 and extend from the support rail 22 in a direction away from the first shelf 2 and towards the second shelf 2’. Each blocking element 24 comprises a blocking panel 32 and a connection element 34. The connection element 34 is configured to couple the blocking element 24 to thesupport rail 22 so that the blocking panel 32 is moveable relative to the support rail 22 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support rail 22.
[0058] Each blocking panel 32 has a front face 36 and an opposite rear face 38. In this embodiment each blocking panel 32 is generally rectangular and has opposite top and bottom edges 40, 42, and opposite first and second side edges 44, 46. A distance between the top and bottom edges 40, 42 defines a height of the blocking panel 32 along a vertical axis of the blocking panel 32, and a distance between the first and second side edges 44, 46 defines a width of the blocking panel 32 along a horizontal axis of the blocking panel 32.
[0059] In this embodiment the connection element 34 extends from the top edge 40 of the blocking panel 32. In particular, the connection element 34 extends upwardly and rearwardly from the blocking panel 32. This allows the connection element 34 to engage with the support rail 22 at a position rearward of the front edge 6 of the shelf 2, while the blocking panel 32 is disposed in line with or forward of the front edge 6 of the shelf 2.
[0060] In a preferred embodiment the support rail 22 includes a channel extending along the length of the support rail 22 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support rail 22. The connection element 34 of each of the blocking elements 24 comprises a protrusion that engages with the channel to couple the blocking element 24 to the support rail 22. There is a sliding fit of the connection element 34 with the channel such that the blocking element 24 is able to move relative to the support rail 22 along the channel. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the support rail may include an elongate protrusion and the connection element of each of the blocking elements may include a channel that engages with the protrusion. In yet further embodiments each of the support rail and the blocking elements may be provided with any suitable complementary engagement features to provide a sliding movement of the blocking elements relative to the support rail in a longitudinal direction along the support rail.
[0061] Each of the first and second ends 28, 30 of the support rail 22 includes a termination element that is configured to prevent the blocking elements 24 sliding out of engagement with the support rail 22. In embodiments in which the support rail 22 includes a channel, the termination elements may block first and second ends of the channel. The termination elements may form part of the fixings used to secure the support rail 22 to the shelf 2. In other embodiments the termination elements may be separate elements.In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the shelf 2 includes a front panel 5 that extends from the front edge 6 of the shelf 2. The front panel 5 extends forwardly and downwardly such that the front panel 5 extends over the support rail 22 and the connection elements 34 of the blocking elements 24 to conceal the support rail 22 and the connection elements 34 from the view of a user or customer.
[0062] The height of each of the blocking panels 32 is preferably the same. Furthermore, the height of each of the blocking panels 32 is preferably substantially the same as, or only slightly less than, the distance between the front edges 6, 6’ of the first and second shelves 2, 2’, i.e. a height of the access region 16. In this way the blocking panels 32 are able to restrict access to the access region 16. However, to enable a customer or user to see the products in the product display regions 18, each of the blocking panels 32 is preferably made of a material that is transparent or translucent.
[0063] With all of the blocking elements 24 side-by-side, a combined width of all of the blocking panels 32 is less than the longitudinal length of the support rail 22. In this way, the blocking panels 32 may be slid along the support rail 22 to create an opening or gap between any two neighbouring blocking panels 32 to permit access to products in the access region 16.
[0064] In preferred embodiments the blocking panels 32 all have the same width. Furthermore, the number of blocking elements 24 engaged with the support rail 22 is preferably dependent on the width of the blocking panels 32 and the length of the support rail 22. In particular, if the width of each blocking panel is a, and the support rail has a length of 9a, then there are preferably eight blocking elements 24 engaged with the support rail 22. In this way, as the blocking elements 24 are slid along the length of the support rail 22, a gap of width a is able to be created between any two neighbouring blocking panels 32. This gap creates a product access opening 48 between the two neighbouring blocking panels 32 which allows a customer or user to insert their hand through the product access opening 48 to reach a product in a product display region 18 aligned with the product access opening 48.
[0065] Preferably the width of each of the blocking panels 32, and therefore the width of the product access opening 48, is substantially equal to a width of each of the product display regions 18. In this way, a user or customer is only able to remove one of the products from the shelf in a single product display region 18, while the other products, in other product display regions 18, remain blocked by the blocking panels 32. In other embodiments the width of the product access opening may be greater than a width of a product display region. Forexample, the product access opening may provide access to two neighbouring product display regions.
[0066] It will be appreciated that the distance between the shelves 2, 2’ of the retail display fixture 14 and the height of the blocking panels 32 may each be fixed, while the height of the various products on the shelf 2’ may vary. For example, one product may be sold in a tall bottle, while another product is sold in a squat tub. A clearance gap is defined between the top of each product and the lower surface of the shelf above. There will, therefore, be a smaller clearance gap above the taller products displayed in that access region 16, and a larger clearance gap above the shorter products. This results in the possibility that a person may slide the blocking elements 24 to expose a row of shorter products (for example squat tubs), and then reach their hand or arm into the clearance gap above the products and drag the full row of products off the shelf in a single motion.
[0067] To prevent or deter this action, the retail security system 20 further comprises a barrier strip 26 coupled to the support rail 22. The barrier strip 26 extends in a first, length direction along the length of the support rail 22 generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support rail 22. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 the barrier strip 26 extends in the length direction along the full length of the support rail 22. In other embodiments the length of the barrier strip 26 may be less than the length of the support rail 22.
[0068] The barrier strip 26 is preferably coupled to the support rail 22 so that the barrier strip 26 does not move relative to the support rail 22. In embodiments in which the barrier strip 26 extends only partially along the length of the support rail 22 this means that the barrier strip 26 is always aligned with the same product display regions 18.
[0069] The barrier strip 26 also extends away from the support rail 22 in a second direction substantially parallel to the vertical axes of the blocking panels 32 and towards the bottom edges 42 of the blocking panels 32. A height of the barrier strip 26 in the second direction is defined between an upper edge 50 and a lower edge 52 of the barrier strip 26. The upper edge 50 of the barrier strip 26 may be aligned with the top edges 40 of the blocking panels 32. The lower edge 52 of the barrier strip 26 is disposed between the top and bottom edges 40, 42 of the blocking panels 32. Typically, the lower edge 52 of the barrier strip 26 will be disposed closer to the top edges 40 of the blocking panels 32 than to the bottom edges 42. The height of the barrier strip 26 is selected to at least partially cover or block the clearance gaps above the products in the access region 16.In this embodiment the barrier strip 26 comprises a rigid or semi-rigid band or strip of material. The height of the barrier strip 26 is the same along the full length of the barrier strip 26.
[0070] The barrier strip 26 has opposite front and rear faces 54, 56. In this embodiment the barrier strip 26 is disposed rearward of the blocking panels 32 so that the front face 54 of the barrier strip 26 is adjacent to and faces the rear face 38 of one or more of the blocking panels 32. In other embodiments the barrier strip 26 may be disposed forward of the blocking panels 32 so that the rear face 56 of the barrier strip 26 is adjacent to and faces the front face 36 of one or more of the blocking panels 32.
[0071] The dimensions of the barrier strip 26 are such that, when the blocking panels 32 are moved to align the product access opening 48 with a part of the barrier strip 26, the barrier strip 26 extends into and blocks a part of the product access opening 48. This then deters or prevents a person inserting their hand and arm into the clearance gap and pulling multiple products from the product display region 18.
[0072] The barrier strip 26 may also be used to display information about the products in the product display regions 18. For example, the front face 54 of the barrier strip 26 may include text, logos or other graphics and indicia. The front face 54 of the barrier strip 26 may display brand names and / or logos relating to the products, information about the types of products (e.g. cleanser, moisturiser, hand cream etc), or information about the prices of the products. The barrier strip 26 may include a removeable facia that includes the display information, and which may be removably secured to the front face 54 of the barrier strip 26. As described above, the blocking elements 24 and the barrier strip 26 together limit access to the products within the product display regions 18, such that removing multiple products in one action is more difficult or prevented. However, this also hinders restocking of products on the shelf.
[0073] To overcome this issue the retail security system 20 preferably includes a mechanism for moving the blocking elements 24 and barrier strip 26 between a blocking position and a refill position. In the blocking position the blocking elements 24 and barrier strip 26 limit access to the products as described above. In the refill position the blocking elements 24 and barrier strip 26 do not block access to the access region 16 so that a person can easily restock products.In preferred embodiments the support rail 22 is connected to the shelf 2 by a hinge such that the support rail 22 can be moved between a first position in which the blocking panels 32 extend in a direction that at least partially blocks the access region and a second position in which the blocking panels 32 do not block the access region. In this embodiment, in the first position the blocking panels 32 extend generally vertically downwards from the support rail 22, as shown in Figure 3, and in the second position the blocking panels 32 extend generally vertically upwards from the support rail 22, as shown in Figure 4. The support rail 22 preferably pivots about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support rail 22 to move between the first and second positions.
[0074] In the illustrated embodiment, the support rail 22 is mounted to the shelf 2 by a hinge 58 at each end 28, 30 of the support rail 22. Each hinge 58 includes two arms 60 connected at a pivot 62. A first one of the arms 60 is attached to the shelf 2 and a second one of the arms 60 is connected to the support rail 22. The pivot 62 allows the support rail 22 to be moved between the first and second positions by rotating the second arm 60 about the pivot 62, to move the blocking elements 24 and barrier strip 26 between the blocking position and the refill position.
[0075] It will be appreciated that it is advantageous if the blocking elements 24 and barrier strip 26 can be locked in the blocking position to prevent a person moving the support rail 22 into the second position and having full access to the products on the shelf 2’ with the blocking elements 24 and barrier strip 26 in the refill position.
[0076] In this embodiment the retail security system 20 includes a locking device comprising a barrel bolt or slide bolt 64 disposed at each end 28, 30 of the support rail 22. The barrel bolt 64 includes a bolt having an end or tip that is slidable between a retracted, unlocked position and an extended, locked position. The barrel bolt 64 is arranged such that the tip of the bolt locates in a keep secured to a part of the shelf 2 when the barrel bolt 64 is in the locked position. When the bolt is moved into the unlocked position, the tip of the bolt is withdrawn from the keep to allow the support rail 22 to move from the first position to the second position.
[0077] One or both of the barrel bolts 64 may be a locking barrel bolt, which includes either a combination lock mechanism or a flange to which a padlock may be secured. In these embodiments a person must enter the correct combination or remove the padlock beforethe barrel bolt 64 can be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position. The locking barrel bolt is preferably located such that a person can slide the blocking panels 32 into a position in which the product access opening 48 is adjacent the barrel bolt 64 such that the person can reach through the product access opening 48 to unlock the barrel bolt 64.
[0078] In another embodiment, illustrated in Figure 5, the support rail 22 is mounted to the shelf 2 by a hinge 158 at each end 28, 30 of the support rail 22. Each hinge 158 includes two arms 160 connected at a pivot 162. A first one of the arms 160 is attached to the shelf 2 and a second one of the arms 160 is connected to the support rail 22. The pivot 162 allows the support rail 22 to be moved between the first and second positions by rotating the second arm 160 about the pivot 162, to move the blocking elements 24 and barrier strip 26 between the blocking position and the refill position.
[0079] The second arm 160 includes a hinge plate 166 and a tab 168 that projects from the hinge plate and provides a detent 168. A locking device comprising a locking barrel bolt 164 is secured to a part of the shelf 2. When the barrel bolt 164 is in its locked position, the end of the bolt engages with the detent 168 to prevent the second arm 160 rotating about the pivot 162, thereby preventing the support rail 22 being moved from the first position to the second position. To allow the blocking elements 24 and barrier strip 26 to move into the refill position, the locking barrel bolt 164 must be unlocked and the bolt moved into the unlocked position such that the end of the bolt is no longer engaged with the detent 168. The second arm 160 can then be rotated about the pivot 162.
[0080] Another embodiment of a retail security system 220 is illustrated in Figures 6 to 14. Many of the features of this embodiment are identical or similar to features of the first embodiment described above, and like features have been indicated by reference numerals incremented by 200.
[0081] The retail security system 220 comprises a support rail 222, a plurality of blocking elements 224, and a barrier strip 226. The support rail 222 is configured to secure or attach the retail security system 220 to a retail display fixture 14, which in this embodiment comprises a plurality of shelves 2, 2’. The support rail 222 includes opposite front and rear surfaces 322, 323, and opposite top and bottom surfaces 324, 325.
[0082] In this embodiment one of the shelves 2’ includes a shelf management system comprisinga plurality of shelf pusher systems 270. A number of shelf pusher systems are known in the art, and in their simplest configuration they comprise a pusher 272 and a front rail or front guard 274. The pusher 272 comprises a push panel 276 that is mounted on a rail 278. The rail extends between a rear end 280 and a front end 282, and the front guard 274 is disposed at the front end 282 of the rail 278. The push panel 276 is preferably connected to a spring mechanism that urges the push panel 276 along the rail 278 in a direction away from the rear end 280 of the rail 278 and towards the front end 282 of the rail 278. In this way, any products that are positioned between the push panel 276 and the front guard 274 are urged towards the front guard 274. The shelf pusher systems 270 are arranged such that the front guards 274 are disposed proximate the front edge 6 of the shelf 2’ and the rails 278 extend rearwardly across the depth of the shelf 2’. Products are, therefore, urged towards the front edge 6 of the shelf 2’ so that they may be easily accessed by a customer. The shelf management system preferably includes dividers or fences between each shelf pusher system 270. These dividers prevent products falling sideways out of the shelf pusher system 270. These dividers may also define or delineate the product display regions 18.
[0083] As in the embodiment above, each blocking element 224 comprises a blocking panel 232 and a connection element 234. The connection element 234 is configured to couple the blocking element 224 to the support rail 222 so that the blocking panel 232 is moveable relative to the support rail 222 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support rail 222.
[0084] In this embodiment, a height of each of the blocking panels 232 along a vertical axis of the blocking panel 232 is the same. Furthermore, the height of each of the blocking panels 232 is preferably substantially the same as, or only slightly less than, a distance between the front edges 6, 6’ of the first and second shelves 2, 2’, i.e. a height of the access region 16. In this way the blocking panels 232 are able to restrict access to the access region 16.
[0085] The retail security system 220 further comprises a barrier strip 226 coupled to the support rail 222. The barrier strip 226 extends in a first, length direction along the length of the support rail 222 generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support rail 222. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 to 8 the barrier strip 226 extends in the length direction along the full length of the support rail 222. In other embodiments the length of the barrier strip 226 may be less than the length of the support rail 222.
[0086] The barrier strip 226 also extends away from the support rail 222 in a second directionsubstantially parallel to the vertical axis of a blocking panel 232 and towards bottom edges 242 of the blocking panels 232. A height of the barrier strip 226 in the second direction is defined between an upper edge 250 and a lower edge 252 of the barrier strip 226. The upper edge 250 of the barrier strip 226 may be aligned with top edges 240 of the blocking panels 232. The lower edge 252 of the barrier strip 226 is disposed between the top and bottom edges 240, 242 of the blocking panels 232.
[0087] In this embodiment the height of the barrier strip 226 varies along the length of the barrier strip 226. In particular, the lower edge of the barrier strip 226 is stepped.
[0088] The barrier strip 226 has sections 284 along its length, each section 284 corresponding to and aligned with one of the product display regions 18. In preferred embodiments the height of the barrier strip 226 in each section 284 is constant, but the height of the barrier strip 226 in different sections 284 may be different. In the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, the barrier strip 226 has fourteen sections 284, each aligned with one of the shelf pusher systems 270. Moving from left to right as shown in Figure 8, section one of the barrier strip 226 has a first height, sections two to four have a second height, sections five and six have a third height, section seven has a fourth height, sections eight to ten have fifth height, section eleven has a sixth height, sections twelve and thirteen have a seventh height, and section fourteen has an eighth height. Furthermore, in this embodiment the first, third, sixth and eighth heights are the same.
[0089] It will be understood that the height of the barrier strip 226 is preferably greater in those sections 284 that correspond to product display regions 18 including shorter products, and the height of the barrier strip 226 is preferably smaller in those sections 284 that correspond to product display regions 18 including taller products. In this way a gap between the top of the product and the lower edge 252 of the barrier strip 226 in each section 284 may be minimised, or selected to be a predefined value, dependent on the height of the product in the corresponding product display region 18.
[0090] In this embodiment, as well as the barrier strip 226 comprising a plurality of sections 284, the barrier strip 226 also comprises a plurality of zones 286. Each zone 286 includes one or more sections 284. Each zone 286 corresponds to a region of the barrier strip 116 having different branding or other distinguishing features. In the illustrated example, each zone 286 has a different coloured stripe along the lower edge 252 of the barrier strip 226. A first zone 286 has a blue lower edge 252, a second zone 286 has a yellow lower edge 252, and athird zone 286 has a red lower edge 252. In other embodiments each zone may relate to a selection of products belonging to a different brand, for example Nivea®, Olay® and Simple®.
[0091] In use, a customer wishing to remove a product from a shelf 2’ first slides the blocking panels 232 along the support rail 222 until a gap between the blocking panels 232, i.e. the product access opening 248, is aligned with the desired product. The customer is then able to grasp the product and remove the product from the shelf through the gap between the shelf and the lower edge 252 of the barrier strip 226. In examples in which the retail display fixture includes a shelf management system having front guards, the product may be removed from the shelf through a gap between a top of the front guard and the lower edge 252 of the barrier strip 226.
[0092] When it becomes necessary to restock products on the shelf, a retail assistant preferably moves the blocking elements 224 from their blocking position to a refill position. To do this, the user preferably first unlocks a locking device of the retail security system 220. The user then moves the support rail 222 from its first position to its second position. The user is then able to position products in the access region without the blocking panels 232 and barrier strip 226 restricting access. Once the shelf has been restocked the support rail 222 is preferably returned to the first position, and the locking device is preferably locked to retain the support rail 222 in the first position.
[0093] An example of a locking device 263 for use in the retail security system 220 is illustrated in Figures 9 to 14.
[0094] The support rail 222 is mounted to the shelf 2 by a hinge 258 at each end 228, 230 of the support rail 222. Each hinge 258 includes two arms 260 connected at a pivot 262. A first one of the arms 260 is attached to the shelf 2 and a second one of the arms 260 is connected to the support rail 222. The second arm 260 includes a hinge plate 366 and a tab 368 that projects from the hinge plate 366 and provides a detent 368. The pivot 262 allows the support rail 222 to be moved between the first and second positions by rotating the second arm 260 about the pivot 262, to move the blocking elements 224 and barrier strip 226 between the blocking position and the refill position. The tab 368 preferably extends from the hinge plate 366 such that, when the support rail 222 is in the first position an end region of the support rail 222 contacts the tab 368. This assists in locating the blocking elements 224 and barrier strip 226 correctly in the blocking position.In preferred embodiments, the support rail 222 rotates through 180° between the first and second positions. As such, when the support rail 222 is in the second position, the front surface 322 of the support rail 222 faces in a rearward direction, relative to the shelf to which the security device 220 is attached, and the rear surface 323 of the support rail 222 faces in a forward direction. Similarly, the top surface 324 of the support rail 222 faces in a downward direction and the bottom surface 325 of the support rail 222 faces in an upward direction.
[0095] The locking device 263 comprises a barrel bolt 264 secured to each end 228, 230 of the support rail 222. Each barrel bolt 264 is disposed so that an axis of the bolt 265 of the barrel bolt 264 is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support rail 222.
[0096] When the support rail 222 is in the first position and the barrel bolt 264 is in a locked position, an end of the bolt or barrel of the barrel bolt 264 engages with the tab 368 to prevent the second arm 260 rotating about the pivot 262, thereby preventing the support rail 222 being moved from the first position to the second position. In the illustrated embodiment the end of the bolt 265 is seated on an upper surface of the tab 368, as shown most clearly in Figure 10.
[0097] To allow the blocking elements 224 and barrier strip 226 to move into the refill position, the barrel bolt 264 must be moved into an unlocked position such that the end of the bolt 265 is no longer engaged with the tab 368. In the unlocked position the end of the bolt 265 is clear of the tab 368 such that the second arm 260 can be rotated about the pivot 262.
[0098] In this embodiment the locking device 263 further comprises a stay 290 configured to retain the blocking elements 224 and barrier strip 226 in the refill position. The stay 290 comprises a stay chassis 292 secured to a part of the shelf 2, and a stay member 294 slidably mounted to the stay chassis 292. The stay member 294 may be slid, relative to the stay chassis 292, between a retracted position (shown in Figures 10 to 12) and an extended position (shown in Figures 13 and 14).
[0099] In use, once the support rail 222 has been moved into the second position, the stay member 294 is slid from the retracted position to the extended position. In the extended position an end of the stay member 294 abuts or contacts a part of the support rail 222. As shown most clearly in Figure 14, an end surface 296 of the stay member 294 preferably contacts therearward facing front surface 322 of the support rail 222. In this embodiment the front surface 322 of the support rail 222 is provided with a rest 298 that projects from the front surface 322. The rest 298 may be in the form of a tab or peg. With the support rail in the second position and the stay member 294 in the extended position, the rest 298 is preferably seated on an upper surface 300 of the stay member 294. The stay member 294 retains the support rail 222 in the second position. In some embodiments the stay member 294 may include a catch or latch mechanism to retain the stay member in the extended position. In preferred embodiments, however, the stay member 294 may be simply slid between the retracted and extended positions.
[0100] In some embodiments, each of the blocking panels may include one or more finger holes, apertures or recesses. In use, a user may place their finger in the hole, aperture or recess to assist in sliding the blocking panel along the support rail. In a preferred embodiment each blocking panel includes a recess in each side edge of the blocking panel. When the blocking panels are positioned next to each other, the recesses in adjacent side edges preferably align to form an aperture through which a person may insert their finger to aid in pushing the blocking panels apart. In other embodiments the blocking panels may include a projection, handle or other grip feature that a user may grasp to slide the blocking panels.
[0101] The blocking panels in the embodiments and examples described above may be generally flat, i.e. both the front and rear faces of the blocking panels may be planar. In other embodiments the blocking panels may be curved or corrugated, or have any other suitable 3-dimensional form.
[0102] It will be appreciated that the blocking panels are made from a rigid material to enable them to perform their blocking function. The blocking panels are preferably made from a rigid plastic material.
[0103] In some of the above embodiments, the support rail is connected to the retail display fixture by a hinge such that the support rail can be moved between a first position in which the blocking elements are in a blocking position and a second position in which the blocking elements are in a refill position. In the above embodiments the support rail was rotatable about an axis that extended parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support rail. In other embodiments, the support rail may be connected to the retail display fixture such that the support rail is rotatable about an axis that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support rail. For example, the support rail may be hingedly connected to the retail displayfixture at a first end of the support rail, with a pivot axis of the hinge connection being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support rail. A locking mechanism may be disposed at a second end of the support rail configured to lock the support rail in its first position. In use, a person may unlock the locking mechanism and swing or rotate the support rail about the pivot axis at the first end to move the blocking elements from the blocking position to the refill position.
[0104] In further embodiments, each of the blocking elements may be individually hingedly connected to the support rail so that each of the blocking elements may be independently moveable between a blocking position and a refill position. In other embodiments, in each blocking element, the blocking panel may be hingedly connected to the connection element so that the blocking panel can be moved relative to the connection element and the support rail between a first, blocking position and a second, refill position.
[0105] As described above, in embodiments in which the retail display fixture comprises a plurality of shelves, the support rail may not extend along the full width of the shelf. A plurality of support rails may be secured to one shelf, each support rail extending along a part of the width of the shelf. In this way, a plurality of separate retail security systems may be secured to the shelf, for example in a side-by-side arrangement.
[0106] Each retail security system may be used to block a different set of products, for example products from different brands or products of different types, that are displayed on the same shelf. Having each set of products blocked by a different retail security system may make restocking of the shelf easier. For example, products in the first set of products may be restocked at a different time to products in the second set of products. In this case, a person may only need to move the blocking elements of a first retail security system into the refill position to restock the first set of products. Later, the person may only need to move the blocking elements of a second retail security system into the refill position to restock the second set of products.
[0107] Although in the above embodiments the retail security system included a barrel bolt or slide bolt as a locking device, in other embodiments the retail security system may include another form of locking device to retain the support rail in the first position to prevent the blocking elements and barrier strip being moved from the blocking position to the refill position. The locking device may, for example, be a deadbolt lock, deadlatch or flip lock. The locking device may comprise a magnet operated lock.The retail security system may additionally include a latch mechanism configured to hold the support rail in the second position and the blocking elements and barrier strip in the refill position. This means that it is not necessary to hold the support rail in the second position while the product display regions are being restocked. The latch mechanism may include a strut. The latch mechanism may automatically retain the support rail in the second position until a user releases the latch mechanism. Alternatively the user may have to manually engage the latch mechanism to retain the support rail in the second position.
[0108] In the above embodiments the retail security system is attached to a first shelf and the blocking panels extend from the first shelf towards a second shelf. The arrangement of the blocking panels therefore means that they block access to products seated or displayed on the second shelf. This allows the barrier strip to at least partially cover the clearance gaps between the tops of the products and the first shelf. In other embodiments, the retail security system is configured such that the barrier panels block access to products standing on the same shelf that the support rail is attached to. In these embodiments the support rail may be secured to a front edge region of a shelf. The support rail may be secured to the upper surface or the lower surface of the shelf. The blocking elements are engaged with the support rail so that the blocking panels extend upwardly. In embodiments in which the support rail is secured to the lower surface of the shelf, the blocking elements are preferably configured to extend forward of the front edge of the shelf. Further, the barrier strip is also arranged to extend upwardly above a front edge of the shelf. A lower edge of the barrier strip may be aligned with bottom edges of the blocking panels. An upper edge of the barrier strip is disposed between the bottom edges and top edges of the blocking panels. In these embodiments, therefore, the barrier strip may function as a front guard of a pusher system, preventing products from sliding over the front edge of the shelf.
[0109] As described above, the retail display fixture may be any structure suitable for vending, dispensing, holding or storing items or products. The retail display fixture may comprise a shelf, peg board or a rack.
[0110] A known peg board display comprises a back board including a plurality of holes into which hooks, pegs or arms are inserted to protrude forward of the back board. Products are then hung from the hooks, pegs or arms. In these examples, the retail security system may include mounting arms extending from the support rail. The mounting arms are configured to be inserted into the holes of the back board to secure the retail security system to thepeg board display. The mounting arms may be permanently secured to the support rail. The mounting arms may be slidable along the longitudinal length of the support rail so that a spacing between the arms can be matched to a spacing of the holes in the back board to which the retail security system is to be mounted. Alternatively, the retail security system may include one or more mounting elements for securing the support rail to existing arms of the peg board display. The mounting elements may comprise clamps orclips for example. The mounting elements may be lockable to prevent unauthorised removal of the retail security system.
[0111] With the retail security system fixed to the peg board display the blocking panels are preferably arranged to extend over a row of products hanging from a row of hooks or arms, thereby restricting access to those products.
[0112] It will be appreciated, therefore, that the retail security system of the present invention provides an improved deterrent against shelf sweeping or the unauthorised removal of multiple products from a retail display in a single action.
[0113] Other modifications and variations not explicitly disclosed above may also be contemplated without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
CLAIMS1. A retail security system for restricting access to items in a product display region of a retail display fixture, the retail security system comprising:a support rail securable to said retail display fixture;a blocking panel coupled to the support rail and extending from the support rail in a direction transverse to an axis of the support rail, the blocking panel being slidable in a direction parallel to the axis of the support rail between a first position to block access to said items in the product display region, and a second position to provide a product access opening aligned with said product display region; anda barrier strip coupled to the support rail in a fixed position relative to the support rail, the blocking panel overlapping the barrier strip when the blocking panel is in the first position and the barrier strip extending into the product access opening when the blocking panel is in the second position.
2. The retail security system according to Claim 1 comprising a plurality of blocking panels coupled to the support rail, the blocking panels being slidable along the support rail in a direction parallel to the axis of the support rail such that, in use, a gap may be formed between any two neighbouring blocking panels to provide the product access opening aligned with said product display region.
3. The retail security system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the support rail has a length in a direction parallel to the axis defined between first and second ends of the support rail, the barrier strip has a length defined between first and second end of the barrier strip, and wherein the length of the barrier strip is substantially the same as the length of the support rail.
4. The retail security system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the blocking panel or each of the blocking panels has a height defined between a first edge proximate the support rail and an opposite second edge, and the barrier strip has a height defined between a first edge proximate the support rail and an opposite second edge, and wherein the second edge of the barrier strip is disposed between the first and second edges of the blocking panel or of each of the blocking panels.
5. The retail security system according to Claim 4, in which the height of the barrier strip is constant along a length direction of the barrier strip perpendicular to the heightdirection.
6. The retail security system according to Claim 4, in which the height of the barrier strip varies along a length direction of the barrier strip perpendicular to the height direction.
7. The retail security system according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, in which a hinge mechanism is secured to each of first and second ends of the support rail, each hinge mechanism comprising a first arm secured to the support rail and a second arm pivotally attached to the first arm and arranged to be secured to a retail display fixture, the hinge mechanism being configured to permit movement of the support rail relative to the retail display fixture between a first position and a second position.
8. The retail security system according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, in which a hinge mechanism is secured to a first end of the support rail, the hinge mechanism being configured to permit movement of the support rail relative to the retail display fixture about a pivot axis between a first position and a second position, and the pivot axis being perpendicular to the axis of the support rail.
9. The retail security system according to Claim 7 or Claim 8, in which a locking device is disposed at one or both of the first and second ends of the support rail, the or each locking device being configured to be movable into an engaged position to retain the support rail in the first position relative to the retail display fixture.
10. The retail security system according to any one of Claims 7 to 9, further comprising a stay member configured to be movable into an extended position to retain the support rail in the second position relative to the retail display fixture.
11. A retail display fixture comprising:a first shelf and a second shelf; anda retail security system according to any one of Claims 1 to 10 secured at a front edge of the first shelf so that the axis of the support rail extends parallel to the front edge of the first shelf.
12. The retail display fixture according to Claim 11, in which the first shelf is disposed above the second shelf, and both the blocking panel and the barrier strip extend in a downward direction from the support rail to at least partially block an access region of theretail display fixture between the first and second shelves and restrict access to items disposed on an upper surface of the second shelf.
13. The retail display fixture according to Claim 12, in which at least two shelf pusher systems are disposed on the upper surface of the second shelf, each shelf pusher system defining a product display region.
14. The retail display fixture according to Claim 11, in which the first shelf is disposed below the second shelf, and both the blocking panel and the barrier strip extend in an upward direction from support rail to at least partially block an access region of the retail display fixture between the first and second shelves and restrict access to items disposed on an upper surface of the first shelf.
15. The retail display fixture according to Claim 14, in which at least two shelf pusher systems are disposed on the upper surface of the first shelf, each shelf pusher system defining a product display region.
16. The retail display fixture according to Claim 15, in which the barrier strip provides a front guard of the shelf pusher systems, the front guard being arranged to prevent products being pushed over the front edge of the shelf by the shelf pusher system.
17. The retail display fixture according to any one of Claims 11 to 16, in which a distance between the barrier strip and a rear edge of the shelf is smaller than a distance between the blocking panel and the rear edge of the shelf.
18. The retail display fixture according to any one of Claims 11 to 16, in which the retail security system is according to Claim 7, and wherein the second arm of each of the hinge mechanisms is connected to the first shelf such that the support rail is movable between a first position in which the blocking panels and barrier strip at least partially block an access region of the retail display fixture between the first and second shelves and a second position in which the blocking panels and barrier strip do not block the access region of the retail display fixture.
19. The retail display fixture according to Claim 18, in which the first arm of the hinge mechanism includes a detent, and a locking device is mounted to a part of the first shelf, the locking device being arranged to move between a locked state, in which a part of thelocking device engages with the detent to prevent the support rail moving from the first position to the second position, and an unlocked state, in which the locking device is not engaged with the detent and the support rail is free to move from the first position to the second position.
20. The retail display fixture according to Claim 19, in which the locking device comprises a barrel lock.
21. The retail display fixture according to Claim 19 or Claim 20, in which the locking device comprises a combination lock.