EP2330950A1

EP2330950A1 - Lockable pegboard bracket and method

Info

Publication number: EP2330950A1
Application number: EP08795744A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Adam Gozdziewinski; Janusz Wojtowicz
Original assignee: WM Wrigley Jr Co
Current assignee: WM Wrigley Jr Co
Priority date: 2008-09-03
Filing date: 2008-09-03
Publication date: 2011-06-15
Also published as: WO2010027342A1; RU2011109395A; RU2477971C2; EP2330950A4

Abstract

A lockable pegboard bracket, a system thereof, a method of installation thereof and a method of removal thereof are disclosed. The bracket may be secured to the pegboard by a lockable mounting member. The lockable mounting member has a rearwardly projecting portion and a pivotable portion insertable through a pegboard opening and pivotably mounted to the rearwardly projecting portion. The pivotable portion is capable of pivoting between a first position in which the lockable mounting member is insertable into and removable from the pegboard opening and a locked position that spans the pegboard opening to prevent removal of the bracket from the pegboard. A key permits the pivotable portion to be urged into the first position for easily installing and removing the bracket from a pegboard panel.

Description

LOCKABLE PEGBOARD BRACKET AND METHOD

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to merchandise displays, and more particularly to a lockable bracket that is particularly suited for displaying merchantable articles on a pegboard, and methods of installing and removing the lockable pegboard bracket from a panel.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Retail stores frequently use pegboard brackets attached to a pegboard for supporting and displaying merchantable articles. The articles can be removed, for example, by a consumer who wishes to purchase the removed article. The pegboard brackets are commonly held in position by gravity in that the bracket is tilted upwardly to permit the offset end to be inserted into a perforation or perforations on the pegboard and when the bracket is pivoted downwardly to its operative position the bracket will be attached to the board and may not be removed therefrom without an upward pivotal movement.

[0003] When articles supported by a conventional pegboard bracket are removed therefrom, the bracket may be inadvertently raised sufficiently to permit it to be released from the associated pegboard perforations and require replacement on the pegboard.

In addition, the bracket may be moved deliberately by competitors to reconfigure the display to favor the competitor's merchantable articles.

[0004] A need exists for a pegboard bracket that cannot be inadvertently or readily removed, such as by a customer or by an unauthorized person and which can be easily installed and removed by an authorized person and which furthermore allows customers and the retailer to freely remove and replace articles supported on the bracket. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one aspect of the invention, a lockable pegboard bracket that is securable to a pegboard panel in a locked position and for displaying merchantable articles is provided. The inventive bracket has a support member for displaying the merchantable articles and a lockable mounting member connected to the support member for locking engagement through an aperture in a panel, which may be a pegboard panel. The support member may be in the form of a wall rack having a configuration as desired. The bracket may also optionally include a non-locking mounting member connected to the support member and spaced from the lockable mounting member, which nonlocking mounting member typically will be a fixed mounting member and can be configured to have an offset end portion insertable through a first pegboard opening and an angled portion.

[0006] Typically, the lockable mounting member has a fixed, rearwardly projecting member and a movable typically pivotable end member insertable through a second pegboard opening and movably mounted to the rearwardly projecting member. The pivotable end member is capable of movement between a first position in which the lockable mounting member is insertable into and removable from a pegboard opening and a locked position in which the lockable mounting member has been inserted through the second pegboard opening and is movable to the locked position in which the pivotable end member spans the second pegboard opening to prevent movement of the lockable mounting member laterally away from the pegboard and thus prevents removal of the pegboard bracket from the pegboard. The inventive pegboard bracket can be used on a panel, wall or other surface that has a suitable aperture or apertures. [0007] Typically, when the pivotable end member is in the first position, it is in substantial alignment with the rearwardly projecting member. When the movable member is the pivotable type of member and is in the first position, typically the portion of the pivotable end member adjacent to the rearwardly projecting member has a different, preferably smaller, moment than the opposite portion of the pivotable end member, relative to the pivot axis. This permits the pivotable end member to pivot or rotate from the first position to the locked position after insertion through the pegboard opening without any external force. Preferably, when the pivotable end member is in the locked position, the pivotable end member is substantially perpendicular to the rearwardly projecting member.

[0008] In one embodiment, once the pivotable end member is inserted through a pegboard opening, and pivots from the first position to the locked position, the bracket is secured to the pegboard in a locked position. The bracket can be unlocked by moving the pivotable end member from the locked position to the first, unlocked position in which the lockable mounting member can be withdrawn from the pegboard panel through the pegboard opening. This can be conveniently accomplished by inserting a key through a lower portion of the pegboard opening through which the lockable mounting member was inserted to contact and urge the pivotable end member to pivot to the first, unlocked position.

[0009] In one embodiment, the bracket may also include a cover that may be a plate member, for example, typically located proximate the lockable mounting member. The rearwardly projecting member extends rearwardly from the cover. The cover can restrict access to the pegboard opening through which the lockable mounting member has been inserted. There may be a keyway in the cover adjacent to the lockable mounting member. The keyway is shaped and located to permit a key to be inserted into the keyway and through the second pegboard opening to urge the pivotable end member from the locked position to the first position. Preferably, the rearwardly projecting member has two fingers projecting rearwardly of the cover and the pivotable end portion is mounted between the two fingers. Preferably, the two fingers are integral with the cover and the two fingers have two portions of the cover that extend rearwardly. [0010] In another aspect of the invention, a bracket system for displaying an article of commerce is provided. The bracket system includes a pegboard bracket described above and a panel, which typically will be a pegboard panel. The panel has two opposed at least generally planar surfaces and a plurality of spaced apart openings intersecting both surfaces. The non-locking mounting member, if present, can have the angled portion of the mounting member and the rearwardly projecting member of the lockable mounting member both extend into respective openings of the pegboard panel. [0011] Typically, the longitudinal axis of the pivotable end member is substantially parallel to one of the pegboard panel surfaces. In one embodiment, the bracket system has a key for moving the pivotable end member from the locked position to the first position.

[0012] In another aspect of the invention, the invention includes a method of installing a bracket for an article of commerce. The method includes providing a pegboard bracket described above. The method also includes inserting the non-locking mounting member, if present, into a first opening of a panel having two opposed surfaces and a plurality of spaced openings intersecting both surfaces; inserting the movable or pivotable member of the lockable mounting member into a second opening of the panel; and inserting the rearwardly projecting member of the lockable mounting member into the second opening so that the pivotable end member moves or pivots into the locked position spanning the second opening.

[0013] In another aspect of the invention, a method of removing any of the lockable pegboard brackets described above from a panel is provided. The pegboard bracket is secured in a locked position to the panel, which may be a pegboard panel. The method includes moving the pivotable end member from the locked position to the first position so that the pivotable end member does not span the second opening; and removing the lockable mounting member from the second opening while the pivotable end member is in the first position.

[0014] In another aspect of the invention, a method of preventing unauthorized tampering of a retail merchandise display is provided in which a pegboard bracket is lockably secured to a pegboard. Merchantable articles supported by the bracket may be freely removed and replaced by customers and retailers without access to a key or other means for unlocking the bracket from the pegboard.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bracket in accordance with the invention. [0016] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the bracket of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIGS. 3-4 are enlarged fragmentary side elevation views of the bracket of

FIG. 1 illustrating the lockable mounting member oriented for installation in a panel and installed in the panel in a locked position.

[0018] FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation view of the bracket of FIG. 1 illustrating the mounting member rotated by a key to the unlocked position.

[0019] FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the back of the bracket of FIG. 1 illustrating the cover member of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a bracket in accordance with the invention.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the bracket of FIG. 7.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0022] A pegboard bracket 10 in accordance with the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-6. Pegboard bracket 10 is mounted to a typical pegboard panel 12. Pegboard panel 12 has a front surface 14 and a rear surface 16 and a plurality of spaced openings 18 extending from front surface 14 to rear surface 16. Openings 18 are preferably regularly spaced in columns and rows and have a round, square or rectangular cross- section. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to use with pegboards, but can be used with any panel or surface that has suitable apertures to permit mounting of a bracket of the invention.

[0023] Bracket 10 has two non-locking mounting members 20a and 20b and a lockable mounting member 22. Non-locking mounting members 20a, 20b are rigid or fixed members and each has an angled portion 24 and an offset end portion 26. Angled portions 24 are shown inserted into openings 18a and 18b in FIG. 1. Offset end portion 26 is shown pressed against rear surface 16 of panel 12 in FIG. 2. It is to be understood that the non-locking mounting member can be any suitable type of member for securing a bracket to pegboard. Typically, such mounting members will be of the fixed or rigid type, having no moving parts. It is to be understood that bracket 10 could be configured to eliminate mounting members 20a and 20b so that the only mounting member is lockable mounting member 22. In that case, if desired, bracket 10 could be configured so that lockable mounting member 22 is located in an upper region of bracket 10, approximately at the location of mounting members 20a and 20b (which would be eliminated in this embodiment).

[0024] Lockable mounting member 22 has a rearwardly projecting member 28 and a pivotable end member 30. Rearwardly projecting member 28 is shown inserted into opening 18c in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0025] Pivotable end member 30 is movably mounted and in this case pivotally mounted to rearwardly projecting member 28 on a shaft 29. Pivotable end member 30 is capable of pivoting or rotating between a first position allowing the lockable mounting member 22 to be inserted into and through opening 18c and a locked position securing lockable mounting member 22 in opening 18c where rearwardly projecting member 28 extends through the thickness of panel 12. Depending on the fit and clearance between opening 18c and rearwardly projecting member 28, there may be a range of first positions and a range of locked positions. The first position typically includes a position where pivotable end member 30 is substantially longitudinally aligned with rearwardly projecting member 28 as shown in FIG. 5. The locked position typically includes a position where the length of pivotable end member 30 is substantially perpendicular to rearwardly projecting member 28 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0026] As best shown in FIG. 5, pivotable end member 30 (shown in the first position) has a portion 34 adjacent to rearwardly projecting member 28 and a portion 36 further away from rearwardly projecting member 28, each extending away from shaft 29. As shown in FIG. 4, lockable mounting member 22 is in the locked position and end member 30 spans the height or diameter of opening 18c. As shown in FIG. 5, preferably, lengths 38 and 40 of portions 34 and 36, respectively, both exceed half the height 39 of rearwardly projecting member 28. Lengths 38 and 40 preferably exceed half the height or diameter of opening 18c. By spanning opening 18c, pivotable end member 30 prevents lockable mounting member 22 from being withdrawn from opening 18c as an attempt to withdraw lockable mounting member 22 from opening 18c would cause pivotable end member 30 to abut rear surface 16 of panel 12 adjacent opening 18c to prevent removal from panel 12. Thus, in a retail store, unauthorized removal of bracket 10 such as, for example, by a competitor of the product being displayed, or by a customer, is prevented.

[0027] Preferably, for ease of installation, pivotable end member 30 is configured to automatically pivot or rotate into the locked position as lockable mounting member 22 is inserted into opening 18c. To that end, pivotable end member 30 can rotate automatically by gravity when portion 34 has a different, preferably smaller, moment than portion 36, relative to shaft 29. This may be achieved in several ways. For example, portion 36 may be longer or have a greater density than portion 34. Alternatively or additionally, pivotable end member 30 may be biased into the locked position by a torsion spring (not shown) connected to a cover 42 or rearwardly projecting member 28 and pivotable end member 30.

[0028] Bracket 10 has a cover 42 to which rearwardly projecting member 28 is attached, preferably at least substantially perpendicularly to cover 42. As shown, cover 42 is substantially planar or plate-like, but can be in any desired configuration. Rearwardly projecting member 28 may include two projections or fingers 43a and 43b projecting rearwardly of and substantially perpendicularly to cover 42 or at an angle as desired relative to cover 42. Pivotable end member 30 is pivotably mounted between fingers 43a and 43b. The pivotable mounting may be achieved as illustrated by shaft 29 or by a pivot extending between fingers 43a and 43b through a passage in end member 30. Alternatively, the pivotable mounting may be achieved by opposed, substantially co-linear projections on opposite sides of pivotable end member 30 inserted into opposed holes on fingers 43a and 43b. Fingers 43a and 43b may be formed in any suitable manner, including for example, by punching and bending portions of cover 42 rearwardly of cover 42, leaving voids 45 in cover 42.

[0029] A keyway 44 extends through cover 42 adjacent and below lockable mounting member 22. Keyway 44 allows a key 46 matching keyway 44, or otherwise smaller in dimension than key 46, to be inserted through keyway 44 into opening 18c to urge end member 30 into alignment with rearwardly projecting member 28. Key 46 typically has a handle 48 and a blade 50. Blade 50 is shaped so that it can urge end member 30 into alignment and fit between opening 18c and rearwardly projecting member 28. Typically, the urging is accomplished by the blade directly pushing on end member 30. Blade 50 may have a small round cross-sectional profile, a rectangular profile, or a profile that is similar to or the same as a portion of an annulus such as a crescent, for example. Keyway 44 may be a slot 52 in cover 42. Typically, keyway 44 is aligned so that blade 50 passes near the bottom of aperture 18c. This permits blade 50 to support pivotable end member 30 in the first or unlocked position as shown in FIG. 5 to readily permit withdrawal of lockable mounting member 22 from aperture 18c, preventing pivotable end member 30 from moving to the locked position. Keyway 44 may involve more complicated structures, such as those found in typical car or building locks, but complicated structures are not necessary. Keyway 44 could also be formed by slot 52 in cover 42 and a second slot in a second plate (not shown). Keyway 44 is shaped so that blade 50 can pass therethrough. Other shapes for keyway 44 are possible if opening 18c is not round. Access to key 46 can be limited to those persons authorized to remove bracket 10 from panel 12.

[0030] Mounting members 20 and 22 are connected by suitable structure, such as a frame 53. Frame 53 has two vertical frame members 54 and 55, two cross bars 58 and 59, and two horizontal frame members 62 and 63. Vertical frame members 54 and 55 are attached to opposed ends of cover 42. Cover 42 can be over the front, flush with the front, flush with the back, or over the back of frame members 54 and 55, or points in between, for example. Vertical frame members 54 and 55 extend upwards of cover 42. Vertical frame members 54 and 55 are also connected by cross bars 58 and 59. Vertical frame members 54 and 55 extend upwards to non-locking mounting members 20a and 20b. Angled portions 24 are at a desired angle to facilitate insertion through and retention in a pegboard aperture, relative to vertical frame members 54 and 55. Offset end portions 26 are offset from vertical frame members 54 and 55. Horizontal frame members 62 and 63 are connected to opposite ends of cross bar 58. [0031] Bracket 10 typically includes a supporting portion for merchantable articles that can be of a desired configuration. As illustrated, a support 65 for merchantable articles is connected to frame 53. Support 65 includes support arms 66 and 67, which are connected to opposite sides of cross bar 59. Support arms 66 and 67 are attached to a third cross bar 70 (part of frame 53), which is also attached to horizontal frame members 62 and 63, at or adjacent their ends. Third cross bar 70 is spaced from vertical frame members 54 and 55. Support 65 includes a holding plate 72 or a cross bar for preventing the articles of commerce from slipping off support arms 66 and 67. Holding plate 72 is attached at the lower ends of support arms 66 and 67. Support arms 66 and 67 are upturned at their ends to better attach to holding plate 72. Bracket 10 when mounted to panel 12 is preferably symmetrical about a plane perpendicular to panel 12. Preferably, the plane of symmetry passes through lockable mounting member 22.

[0032] Support arms 66 and 67 can be inclined to better display articles of commerce at a desired angle when installed in panel 12. Support arms 66 and 67 may support a shelf on which articles of commerce are stored or they may directly support the articles of commerce typically in short boxes wide enough to span across support arms 66 and 67.

[0033] A second embodiment of the invention is a bracket device 110 from which articles of commerce can be hung and displayed as shown in FIGS. 7-8. Bracket device 110 is pictured with a perforated panel 112. Bracket device 110 and panel 112 have many features in common with bracket 10 and panel 12. For example, panel 112 has a front surface 114 and a rear surface 116 and openings 118, which are sufficiently similar to panel 12 having front and rear surfaces 14 and 16 and openings 18 that they do not require further description. Similarly, bracket device 110 has non-locking mounting members 120, a lockable mounting member 122, an angled portion 124, an offset end portion 126, a rearwardly projecting portion 128, a pivotable end portion 130, portions 134 and 136, a cover 142, a keyway 144 and a slot 152 which are similar to non-locking mounting member 20, lockable mounting member 22, angled portion 24, offset end portion 26, rearwardly projecting member 28, pivotable end member 30, portions 34 and 36, cover 42, keyway 44 and slot 52 as previously described with respect to FIGS. 1-6 and do not require further description. Keyway 144 can accept a key 146 having a handle 148 and a blade 150 as previously described with respect to FIGS. 1-6.

[0034] Bracket device 110 has a frame 153 connecting mounting members 120 and 122. Frame 153 carries cover 142, and frame 153 includes vertical frame members 154 and 155 and a cross bar 158. Frame 153 is connected to a support 165 for merchantable articles. Support 165 includes support arms 166 and 167. Cover 142 is attached on opposed ends to vertical frame members 154 and 155. Vertical frame members 154 and 155 extend upwards of plate 142 and flare inwards. They are attached to cross bar 158 and to support arms 166 and 167. Cross bar 158 extends horizontally and is attached at opposite ends to non-locking mounting members 120a and 120b. Support arms 166 and 167 have a slope as desired for supporting or displaying articles. The upward slope helps prevent articles of commerce from passively slipping off support arms 166 and 167. Support arms 166 and 167 have an upward end portion or hook 176 at their end also to prevent articles of commerce from sliding off support arms 166 and 167. As illustrated, support arms 166 and 167 are joined together at hook 176.

[0035] Bracket device 110 may also have a forward-projecting bar 180 attached to cross bar 158 between support arms 166 and 167 and extending above and over hook 176. At or near the end 182 of bar 180 nearest to hook 176, bar 180 is attached to an end plate or end bar 184. Bar 180, and end plate or end bar 184 have the purpose of facilitating removal of one article at a time instead of multiple articles. Bracket 110 when mounted to panel 112 is preferably symmetrical about a vertical plane perpendicular to panel 112. Preferably, the vertical plane of symmetry passes through lockable mounting member 122. This helps provide uniform weight distribution through bracket 110 to panel 112.

[0036] Generally, brackets 10 and 110 are formed of a metallic wire or rod of a diameter less than that of openings 18 and 118 and various plates. Components of brackets 10 and 110 may be attached or connected by any suitable fabrication process known in the art, including for example, by welding, brazing, adhesives and other suitable attachments, or they may in fact be unitary. Other materials of construction and other forms of attachment are possible. Materials of construction for the panels 12 and 112 include any material known in the art for such panels, such as, for example, Masonite, wood or paper-based materials including hardboard, plastic or metal. [0037] In another aspect of the invention, a method of installing a bracket for supporting or displaying an article of commerce is provided. The method includes providing a bracket as described previously and securing the non-locking mounting member to the panel, which can include inserting the offset end portion of the nonlocking mounting member into a first opening of a panel having two opposed surfaces and a plurality of spaced openings intersecting both surfaces. Next, the angled portion of the non-locking mounting member is inserted into the first opening. Generally, the bracket is rotated downwardly and the movable or pivotable end member is moved or rotated so that it can be inserted into a second opening of the panel, which is the first position. Typically, the pivotable end member is pivoted or rotated by inserting a key into the keyway or by pressing directly on the pivotable end portion with a finger of a person's hand. Next, the pivotable end member of the lockable mounting member is inserted into the second opening. Then, the rearwardly projecting portion of the lockable mounting member is inserted into and through the second opening and the movable or pivotable end member moves or pivots into the locked position that spans the second opening and prevents removal of the lockable mounting member from its respective (second) panel opening.

[0038] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of removing a bracket from a panel is provided. The bracket may be of any type as described earlier. The bracket already has been installed into and secured in a locked position to a panel. The panel is as previously described and has a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of spaced openings extending from the front surface to the rear surface. The bracket has the non-locking mounting member in a first opening and the rearwardly projecting portion in a second opening. The pivotable end portion of the lockable mounting member spans the second opening. The method includes pivoting the pivotable end portion so that the pivotable end portion does not span the second opening. Rotation of the pivotable end member is generally accomplished by inserting a key into the keyway and urging the pivotable end member with the key to the first or unlocked position. Next, the second mounting member having the pivotable end member in the first or unlocked position is removed from the second opening. Generally, the bracket is then rotated upwardly and then moved downwardly to withdraw the non-locking mounting member from the first opening to complete removal of the bracket from the panel.

[0039] While the invention has been described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, it is to be understood that the invention is capable of numerous changes, modifications and rearrangements and such changes, modifications and rearrangements are intended to be covered by the following claims.

Claims

1. A lockable pegboard bracket, securable to a pegboard panel in a locked position and for displaying merchantable articles, comprising: a support member for displaying the merchantable articles; and a lockable mounting member connected to the support member, the lockable mounting member having a rearwardly projecting portion and a movable member insertable through a second pegboard opening and being movably mounted to the rearwardly projecting portion, the movable member being capable of movement between a first position in which the lockable mounting member is insertable into and removable from the second pegboard opening and a locked position, in which the movable member has been inserted through the second pegboard opening and is then movable to the locked position in which the movable member spans the second pegboard opening to prevent removal of the pegboard bracket from the pegboard.

2. The bracket of claim 1 further comprising a non-locking mounting member connected to the support member and insertable through a first pegboard opening for securing the bracket to the pegboard panel and spaced from the lockable mounting member.

3. The bracket of claims 1 or 2 wherein when the movable member is a pivotable member having a longitudinal axis and when in the first position, the longitudinal axis of the pivotable portion is in substantial alignment with the rearwardly projecting portion.

4. The bracket of claim 3 wherein when the movable member is in the locked position, the longitudinal axis of the pivotable portion is substantially perpendicular to the rearwardly projecting portion.

5. The bracket of any of claims 3 and 4 wherein the side of the pivotable end portion adjacent to the rearwardly projecting portion has a moment different than the moment of the opposite side of the pivotable portion when the pivotable portion is in the first position.

6. The bracket of claim 5 wherein the pivotable end portion adjacent to the rearwardly projecting portion has a moment smaller than the moment of the opposite side of the pivotable portion when the pivotable portion is in the first position.

7. The bracket of any of the preceding claims further comprising a cover member, the rearwardly projecting portion extending rearwardly from the cover member.

8. The bracket of claim 7 further comprising a keyway in the cover member, the keyway adjacent to the second mounting member, the keyway shaped and located to permit a key to be inserted into the keyway and through the second pegboard opening to urge the pivotable member from the locked position to the first position.

9. The bracket of any of claims 6 and 7 wherein the rearwardly projecting member comprises two fingers projecting rearwardly of the plate, the pivotable member mounted between the two fingers.

10. A bracket system for displaying an article of commerce comprising a bracket according to any of the preceding claims; and a panel having two opposed at least generally planar surfaces and a plurality of spaced apart openings intersecting both surfaces, the non-locking mounting member, if present, and the rearwardly projecting member of the lockable mounting member extending into respective openings.

11. The bracket system of claim 10 wherein the longitudinal axis of the pivotable member is substantially parallel to one of the surfaces.

12. The bracket system of claim 11 wherein when in the locked position the pivotable member spans the width of the opening through which the rearwardly projecting member is located.

13. The bracket system of any of claims 10-12 further comprising a key for moving the pivotable member from the locked position to the first position.

14. A method of installing a bracket for an article of commerce comprising providing a bracket according to any of claims 1-9; inserting the non-locking mounting member, if present, into a first opening of a panel having two opposed surfaces and a plurality of spaced openings intersecting both surfaces; inserting the pivotable portion of the lockable mounting member into a second opening of the panel; and inserting the rearwardly projecting member of the lockable mounting member into the second opening so that the pivotable member pivots into the locked position spanning the second opening.

15. A method of removing from a panel a bracket according to any of claims 1-9 that is secured in a locked position to the panel, the method comprising: pivoting the pivotable member from the locked position to the first position so that the pivotable member does not span the second opening; and removing the second mounting member from the second opening while the pivotable portion is in the first position.

16. The method of removing of claim 15 wherein the second mounting member projects rearwardly from a plate having a keyway, wherein pivoting the pivotable member comprises: inserting a key member into the keyway; and urging the pivotable end portion with the key to pivot the pivotable member from the locked position to the first position.

17. A method for preventing unauthorized tampering of a retail merchandise display, the method comprising providing a pegboard bracket which is lockably secured to a pegboard and on which bracket merchantable articles are supported, wherein the merchantable articles may be freely removed without access to a key or other means for unlocking the bracket from the pegboard.