GB2395107A

GB2395107A - Locking device for a display hook

Info

Publication number: GB2395107A
Application number: GB0401554A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maurice Henry Whittle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-02-11
Filing date: 2002-02-11
Publication date: 2004-05-19
Anticipated expiration: 2022-02-11
Also published as: GB2395107B; GB0401554D0

Abstract

A locking device 19 attachable to a hook formed as a loop 12 for suspension of items on display, the purpose of the device to prevent removal of suspended items, wherein the device comprises a lock body having two arms 41 & 45 extending therefrom, at least one of which has its free end securable to the body, where the free end of arm 41 faces outwards. The device may comprise a sheath 25 fitted over a conventional padlock (50 figure 4) in which respect the padlock provides one of the arms 45 and the sheath provides the other of the arms 41. The lock body may also have means 43 for the attachment of sales indicia. In a separate embodiment the free end of arm 41 may face inwards.

Description

2395 1 07

P650888DIV

LOCKING DEVICE FOR DISPLAY HOOK

This invention concerns a locking device attachable to a hook for suspension of items on display.

It is well known to display items for sale by suspension from a hook, of a type which comprises an elongate finger-like projection attached to an upright supporting surface, such as a wall or a partition panel. Items displayed in this way are usually packed in a transparent plastics casing, commonly known as a "bubble pack", which is provided with an aperture through which the hook is mscrted. A series of identical rterlls are generally suspended m this way one in front of the other on a common hook.

Whcrc the items being displayed in tiers way are of significant value, such as cameras, mobile telephones, electronic cards and the hke, theft can be a problem. The provision of a lockable element at the free end of the hook, to prevent easy removal of individual packaged items, is a partial solution.

According to the invention, a locking device, specially designed for attachment to a hook, which is formed as a loop, to prevent removal of ices suspended therefrom composes a kick body, and two arms (one for engagement with each hmh of the looped hook) extending therefrom, at least one of which has its free end securable to the body.

The aforesaid lock body may also be provided with a slot, or other attachment means, to facilitate attachment of sales indicia relative to the items suspended from the hook.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig I is a perspective view of the components of a security assembly which include a first embodiment of the locking device of the invention; Fig 2 is a similar view showing how the first two of the components are fitted together in use; Fig 3 is a similar view showmg how the other components are then fitted thereto and attached to provide a functioning assembly; Fig 4 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a locking device; and Fig 5 shows the device of Fig 4 with the two parts fitted together.

Referring firstly to Figs I to 3, a security assembly comprises four components, namely a bracket ( 10) provided with a hook ( 12), a second component ( 16), a connector component ( 18), and a first embodiment of a locking dcvcc ( 19) according to the Invention.

The bracket ( 10) is cquvaleTlt to a known slat wall mounting bracket (often called a''Eurollook'') It is formed of a sheet of metal or plastics material which is bent or formed mto an L-shapc along

-3 an edge margin ( 14). The hook ( 12) is a wire loop which is permanently attached near the centre of the bracket (10) extending outwards generally at right angles to the sheet. The L-shaped margin (14) is of a shape and size corresponding to a slot of a slat wall lining panel (not shown) so that it can be located therein and will allow the first bracket (10) to be retained hanging down from that slot. A conventional "Eurohook" bracket would be readily detachable from the slot from which it was suspended.

The second component ( 16) is also formed of a sheet of metal or plastics material which Is bent into an L-shape along an edge margin (13). However, this L-shape margin (13) is turned inwards to provide a channel, in contrast to the margin ( 14) of the bracket ( 10). The opposing edge to the channel (13) has an upstanding tab (I S) at a central location with a folded or hooked edge ( 17) In use, the edge margin (14) of the bracket (10) is located in a slot. The channel (13) of the second component (16) Is inserted mto the slot therebelow and the tab (15) then projects between the limbs of the wire hook (12), as shown in Fig 2.

The connector ( 18) is a piece of stainless steel sheet of approximately / mm thickness provided with a curving spring portion (20) at one end and four arms (21-24), two at each side, which can be manually folded and crimped. In use, this is positioned on top of the hook ( l 2), as shown in Fig 3, with the spring portion (20) locating into the hooked edge (17) of the second component ( 16). This is important in order to bias the second component ( 16) upwards and retain its channel ( 13) in the lower L-shapcd slot, in other words to retain the bracket ( 10) and the component ( 16) in engagement with the respective pair of slots. The amls (21-24) are folded around

-4 and pressed onto the limbs ofthe hook (12), as indicated by the arrows in Fig 3, to hold the spring portion (20) in position.

The inter-engaged bracket ( 10) and lower component ( 16) may still be capable of being slid along the slat wall lining, but cannot be demounted to the front without disconnecting the connector (18). Items for display are suspensibly mounted on the hook ( 12). A conventional padlock may be secured at or near the other end of the hook ( 12) to prevent their removal. The presence of the items makes access to the connector (18) difficult, thus minimising likelihood of theft by its removal. An alternative to a conventional padlock is the locking device ( 19) which Is shown m Figs 1 and 3. This device (19) may comprise a conventional padlock onto which a special casing or sleeve (25) Is mounted so that the padlock provides its conventional locking arm (45) securable to the body of the device, while the casing provides an additional arm (41) to one sac of the securable aml(45). Thus, this modified device (19) can be mounted transversely of the hook (12), as is evident in Fig. 3, with the extra arm (41) engaged over the other loop of the hook (12), its free end not being secured. A further appendage (43) on the front of the casing (25) forms a slot and provides a rail which allows for attachment of sales indica, such as price information regarding the items (not shown) suspended lrom the hook (12).

l his locking device ( 19) could be used with any hook of this style, separate from the remainder of the security assembly. Other versions could be specifically fabricated, but it Is probably easier

and cost effective just to add a casing provided with a free arm (41) to a commercially available padlock. Figures 4 and 5 show a slightly modified version (49) of such a locking device. This comprises a conventional padlock (50) and a sheath or casing (51), which fits over the padlock (50), but is wider. It is preferably formed of plastics material. This sheath (51) has a recess (52) into which the body of the padlock (50) is a snug fit, and a slot (53) in the top of the recess (52) is provided for the securable locking arm (57) of the padlock (50) to project through. Adjacent the recess (52), there is a solid extension (54) to the sheath (51). A hooked arm (55) projects upwards therefrom. This anm (55) curls towards the recess (52), whereas the anm (41) of the device (19) shown In Figs. 1 and 3 curls away. The configuration of the anm (41), (55) should be chosen according to ergonomic criteria, as to what best fits onto a display hook (12) and suspends the devicc(l9), (49) m a wall-balanced manner. Again, arail (56) Is provided forattachmentofsales indca. Thus, only the padlock ann (57) is sccurablc, while the other arm (55) has a free end. 1--1owever, because of the configuration of the sheath (51) and the am1 (S5), the latter is firmly retained, hooked over the other limb ofthe main display hook (12), when the padlock arm (57) Is locked In position. Other variations arc possible within the scope of the invention, the foregoing bcmg merely illustrative of the possibilities.

Claims

-6 CLAIMS

1. A locking device attachable to a hook for suspension of items on display, the hook being of the type formed as a loop and the purpose of the device being to prevent removal of items suspended therefrom, said device comprising a lock body having two arms extending therefrom, at least one of which has its free end securable to the body.

2. A locking device attachable to a hook for suspension of items on display, the hook being of the type formed as a loop and the purpose of the device being to prevent removal of Items suspended therefrom, said device comprising a lock body having two arms extending therefrom, only one of which has its free end securable to the body

3. A device according to claim I or 2 wherein the lock body has means of attachment 1or sales mdicia.

4. A device according to clams 1, 2 or 3 comprising a sheath fitted over a conventional padlock in which respect the padlock provides one ofthe arms and the sheath provides the other of the arms.

5. A locking device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. I and 3 or Figs. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.