Devices, systems and methods for hanging and securing items for display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional slatwall and pegboard systems are prone to hanger dislodgment due to accidental bumps, leading to potential theft of displayed merchandise, especially high-value items like batteries, tools, and cosmetics, as they do not provide secure display solutions.
Innovation Solution
The development of self-locking hanger devices that can be securely installed and removed without special tools, featuring a first and second hanger member that form a retaining portion for the structure and a hanging portion for items, with locking mechanisms to prevent removal, such as magnets, clips, and fasteners, ensuring stability and security on various display structures like slatwalls, pegboards, and slatgrids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional hangers are used on slatwall or pegboard, then items can be displayed easily, but the hangers can be dislodged by accidental bumps causing items to fall
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger is divided into multiple components: a first hanger member with a support member and first hanger leg, a second hanger member with support member and second hanger leg, and a coupling member. This segmentation allows each part to perform specific functions - the support members contact the slatwall/pegboard while the hanger legs hold items, and the coupling member connects the members. This modular design enables secure attachment while maintaining ease of display.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling member acts as an intermediary between the first and second hanger members, securely connecting them together. This intermediary component prevents the hangers from being easily dislodged by providing additional attachment points and structural reinforcement, thereby improving reliability without compromising the ease of display.
2Ease of operation
If conventional hangers are used, then items are accessible to customers, but shoplifters can easily remove items or entire hangers
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger members are designed with rotational capability around the coupling member, allowing dynamic adjustment for customer access while maintaining secure attachment to the display structure. This dynamic design enables legitimate customers to access items while the multi-component structure with coupling member prevents easy removal by shoplifters.
Solution Approach 2:
The hanger is pre-assembled with multiple members and a coupling member before being installed on the display structure. This preliminary assembly ensures that the security features are already in place, making it difficult for shoplifters to remove entire hangers while still allowing customer access to merchandise.
3Reliability
If hangers are securely locked to prevent theft, then security is improved, but special tools are required for installation and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member is designed to self-lock between the first and second hanger members through friction and geometric interlocking, eliminating the need for special tools during installation and removal. The security against theft is achieved through this self-service locking mechanism that requires no additional components or tools, maintaining ease of operation while improving reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The self-locking hanger devices effectively prevent accidental dislodgment and theft by securely fastening to different types of display structures, ensuring that merchandise remains displayed and reducing loss in retail settings.
Implementation Method 1
with locking mechanisms to prevent removal, such as magnets, clips, and fasteners
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems and methods for hanging and securing items for display whereby the hanger devices and systems are self-locking, secure and do not require special tools to install and/or remove. A hanger for displaying at least one item of merchandise relative to a structure includes a first hanger member and a second hanger member that are removably coupled to each other, the first hanger member and second hanger member forming a retaining portion that retains the hanger to a structure and a hanging portion that enable items of merchandise to be placed thereon and be displayed. Additionally, a hanger capture device is provided to be mounted to a slatwall to prevent hangers from being removed from the slatwall.