US3805996A

US3805996A - Pilfer-proof merchandise card holding device

Info

Publication number: US3805996A
Application number: US00377790A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Canning
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-03-31
Filing date: 1973-07-09
Publication date: 1974-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-23

Abstract

A pilfer-proof merchandise card holding device is disclosed which supports merchandise cards on a tubular hanger by openings formed on the cards for that purpose. A plurality of spaced vertical posts extend upwardly through a slot provided along the upper wall of the tubular hanger. One of the merchandise cards is supported between each of the posts. The bottom of the posts rest on a shelf within the hanger and each of the posts is attached to a link of a chain which extends along the shelf. A spring loaded actuating rod extending from the rear of the hanger maintains the posts in a fixed, upwardly extending position, thus preventing removal of the cards off the front end of the hanger. When the actuating rod is depressed, the chain is adapted to be advanced causing the posts to be moved along the slot toward the front end of the hanger so that the forwardmost post is carried by the chain down into the hanger. The card that was being retained by that post can thus be removed from the hanger. The actuating rod is arranged to be depressed by the action of a lever which operates as a result of the insertion of a coin in a coin machine.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Canning Apr. 23, 1974 1 PILFER-PROOF MERCHANDISE CARD HOLDING DEVICE [76] Inventor: Glenn R. Canning, 100 S. Brea Blvd., Pico Rivera, Calif. 92621 [22] Filed: July 9, 1973 [21] Appl. No.1 377,790

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 240,131, March 31, 1972.

Primary E.\'aminerStanley H. Tollberg Assistant Examiner-David A. Scherbel [5 7.] ABSTRACT A pilfer-proof merchandise card holding device is disclosed which supports merchandise cards on a tubular hanger by openings formed on the cards for that purpose. A plurality of spaced vertical posts extend upwardly through a slot provided along the upper wall of the tubular hanger. One of the merchandise cards is supported between each of the posts. The bottom of the posts rest on a shelf within the hanger and each of the posts is attached to a link of a chain which extends along the shelf. A spring loaded actuating rod extending from the rear of the hanger maintains the posts in a fixed, upwardly extending position, thus preventing removal of the cards off the front end of the hanger. When the actuating rod is depressed, the chain is adapted to be advanced causing the posts to be moved along the slot toward the front end of the hanger so that the forwardmost post is carried by the chain down into the hanger. The card that was being retained by that post can thus be removed from the hanger. The actuating rod is arranged to be depressed by the action of a lever which operates as a result of the insertion of a coin in a coin machine.

9 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures EATENTEDAPR 23 1974 SHEET 2 [1F 5 PILFER-PROOF MERCHANDISE CARD HOLDING DEVICE REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION The present application is a division of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 240,131, filed Mar. 31, 1972.

This invention relates to merchandise card holding devices and more particularly to structures for making such devices pilfer-proof.

It is well known to display merchandise cards in retail stores by supporting the cards on hangers. Each card is formed with an opening by which it is supported on the hanger. Displaying merchandise in this manner is very desirable since it enables the customer to view the merchandise and select the items which he is interested in purchasing without taking up the time of the sales clerk. However, when the merchandise is displayed in this fashion, pilfering of the merchandise cards is quite common. Therefore, there is a need for a merchandise card holder which provides for securing the card on the holder until the merchandise is ready to be sold.

In the card holding device of the present invention a tubular hanger for the merchandise cards is provided with a slot along the length of its upper wall and an elongated horizontal shelf is formed within the tubular hanger below the slot. Within the tubular hanger a clutch and sprocket drive is rotatably supported adjacent the inner end of the shelf and a cylindrical guide is supported adjacent the outer end of the shelf. A continuous loop of chain encircles the shelf with one end of the loop fitted on the sprocket drive and the other end of the loop positioned about the cylindrical guide. A plurality of spaced retaining posts are attached to the sides of the chain with the posts attached to the portion of the chain below the shelf resting on their sides on the bottom of the tubular hanger and with the posts attached to the portion of the chain above the shelf resting with their bottoms on the shelf such that they extend vertically through the slot on the upper wall of the hanger. An actuating rod extending from the rear of the hanger is provided with a spring for holding it in its withdrawn position. The actuating rod is provided with a rack on the inner end thereof which engages a pinion on the end of the clutch which drivingly engages the sprocket drive. Thus, each time the actuating rod is depressed against its spring into the tubular hanger, the chain is advanced in its path about the shelf to permit the forwardmost post resting on the shelf to be drawn by the chain into the tubular hanger below the shelf, thus freeing a merchandise card for withdrawal from the end of the hanger. A coin machine is associated with the card holding device which operates to depress the actuating rod and thus free a merchandise card when a coin is inserted in the machine.

Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a pilfer-proof merchandise card holding device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pilfer-proof merchandise card holding device which permits a single merchandise card to be released each time the card holding device is actuated.

It is another object of the invention to provide a merchandise card holding device which is actuated to permit a card to be removed therefrom by the use of a coin machine.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a merchandise card holding device which is adapted for mounting on a standard pegboard.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

IN THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the card holding device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the card holding device showing the actuating rod in its depressed position in the tubular hanger;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the outer portion of the tubular hanger showing the path of the posts therein;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the inner portion of the tubular hanger showing the path of the posts therein;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the intermediate portion of the tubular hanger with a portion of the top wall thereof cut away;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the intermediate portion of the tubular hanger as taken along line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the actuator rod and drive assembly used for advancing the chain to enable a card to be withdrawn from the outer end of the tubular hanger;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the card holding device showing the actuating rod held in its withdrawn position;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view as taken along line 99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view as taken along line I0l0 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a plan view as taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 8 with portions of the upper half of the tubular hanger cut away;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view as taken along line 12l2 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view as taken along line 1313 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view as taken along line l4l4 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view as taken along line l515 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the manner of attaching the posts to the links of the chain.

Referring the the drawings, a perspective view of the pilfer-proof card holding device of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. It should be noted that the detailed cross sectional views of the holding device 75, especially as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, for example, are greatly enlarged for the purpose of clarifying the details. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 the card holding device 75 includes an elongated tubular hanger 76 which extends outwardly from a hanger support 77 being held on a pegboard 79. A plurality of spaced retaining posts 80 are disposed along a slot 81 provided on the upper wall of the tubular hanger 76. Each retaining post 80 provides for retaining a merchandise card 84 on the hanger 76 (FIG. 8). An actuating rod 85 having its forward portion extending into the rear opening of the tubular hanger 76 is provided with a spring 86 on the rear portion thereof. As will be described, each time the ac tuating rod 85 is depressed into the hanger 76 against the action of the spring 86, the posts 80 advance forwardly along the slot 81 of the tubular hanger 76 in such a manner that the forwardmost post 80 drops down into the interior of the tubular hanger 76, thus permitting one of the cards 84 to be removed from the front end of the hanger 76.

As shown in FIG. 1, the card holding device 75 is automatically operated by a conventional coin machine 88. Upon placing a coin in the opening 89 of handle 90 and pushing the handle into the coin box 91, a rod 92 on the back of the box 91 is released for outward movement to rotate a lever 93 about a pivot pin 94 on a fixed support 95a. As shown in FIG. 12, the lower arm 96 of the lever is attached by a bolt 97 and nut 98 to a clevis 99 on the end of the actuating rod 85. Thus when the coin machine 88 is actuated, the rod 85 is depressed into the hanger 76 against the action of spring 86.

FIG. 8 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the card holding device 75. Tubular hanger 76 is rigidly held by its inner end on the cylindrical portion 87 of hanger support 77. A vertical portion 100 of support 77 is provided with lugs 95 on the upper corners thereof which fit into spaced holes 78 on pegboard 79. The interior of tubular hanger 76, as shown by the cross section in FIG. 10, for example, is provided with flat opposing vertical side walls 101a and 10112. The slot 81 on the tubular hanger 76 extends along the entire length of the upper wall from just forward of the support 77 to the front end thereof. As' viewed in FIG. 10, the slot 81 is located to the left of the vertical axis of the hanger 76. A short slot 82 extends along a portion of the bottom wall of hanger 76 in front of hanger support 77 and a short slot 83 extends along the portion of the bottom wall of the outer end of the hanger 76.

As best shown in FIG. 2, a horizontal shelf 102 is formed within the tubular hanger 76. The shelf 102 extends from a point spaced inward from the support 77 to a point spaced inward from the forward end of hanger 76. Positioned on a pilot shaft 112 rotatably mounted in a bearing 126 on the side wall of hanger 76 and adjacent the inner end of the shelf 102, as viewed in FIG. 8, is a sprocket drive comprised of adrum 103 having an intermediate cylindrical portion provided with sprockets 106. Mounted within the hanger 76 adjacent the outer or forward end of the shelf 102 is a stationary. cylindrical guide 105. As shown in FIG. 9, the stationary guide 105 is fixed in position against the flat vertical side wall 101!) of hanger 76 by a screw 133. Theguide 105 includes a reduced diameter cylindrical surface 135. A loop of chain 107 is positioned within the tubular hanger 76 with the links on one end of the loop fitted on the sprockets 106 on'the cylindrical portion of drum I03 and the links on the other end of the loop slidably positioned on the cylindrical surface 135 of the guide 105. It is thus seen that the chain 107 encircles the shelf 102. As shown in FIG. 9, a flat projection 106a extends along the top inner wall of the hanger 76 above the shelf 102. The projection 1060 provides an upper surface against which the chain 107 bears. The retaining posts 80 are each held to be freely rotatable on a pin 111 insertable in an opening in the side ofa link 136 of the chain 107 (FIG. 16). The end of pin 111 may be secured to link 136 by welding.

As shown in FIG. 8, the posts 80 attached to the portion of the chain 107 spanning the upper surface of the shelf 102 are vertically oriented with their flat bottoms resting on the top surfaces of the shelf 102, and posts attached to the portion of the chain 107 spanning the lower surface of the shelf 102 are horizontally oriented with their sides resting on the inner lower wall of the tubular hanger 76. As described subsequently herein, when the actuating rod is depressed into the hanger 76 a rack 115 formed on the inner end of the rod 85 engages a pinion 116 on the end ofa clutch 118 which rotates the drum 103 and advances the chain 107 in a clockwise direction about the shelf 102 until the forwardmost post 80 on the end of the tubular hanger 76 advances to the end of the upper surface of the shelf 102 and is lowered down into the tubular hanger 76 and below the shelf whereat it is advanced in the opposite direction while in a horizontal position. This frees one of the cards 84 so that it can be removed from the forward end of the tubular hanger 76. The spring 86 on the rear portion of the actuating rod 85 provides for returning the rod to its withdrawn position after it has been actuated by placing a coin. in the coin machine 88.

A set screw 119 passes through the bottom of the cylindrical portion 87 of support 77 and the tubular hanger 76. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 13, the set screw 119 extends up into a slot 120a extending along the bottom of the rear portion of the actuating rod 85 and limits the inward travel of the rod during which the rack 115 on the forward portion thereof rotates the pinion 116 and advances the chain 107 so that the posts 80 are advanced the proper amount to release one of the cards 84.

The hanger support vertical portion and housing 138 may be formed from a single flat sheet of steel that is stamped to provide the shapes of the lugs 95, the opening 870 for the cylindrical portion 87, the sides of the housing 138, and the cut for the spring support 136a. The upper corners of the vertical portion 100 are then bent back to form the lugs 95 and the lower portions of the sheet are bent horizontally and upwardly to form the sides of housing 138 and the support 1360 for the end of a reloading leaf spring 137 enclosed within the housing. The housing 138 also functions as a support for the tubular hanger 76. The cylindrical portion 87 of the support 77 is then attached by welding, for example, to the wall of opening 87a on the vertical portion 100.

As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 13, the actuating rod 85 is provided with flat

vertical sides

109a and 10% which slidably engage the flat vertical sides 101a and 10112 on the interior of the tubular hanger 76. As shown in FIG. 7, the side of the forward portion of the actuating rod is cut away so that the remaining wall has a cross section in the form of a segment. A rectangular end opening a is then machined in the remaining wall and the upper surface of the opening is provided with teeth to form a rack 115. The forward end of the solid portion of actuating rod 85 is further provided with a side relief 1 13 for the posts 80 and a circular relief'114 into. which the clutch 118 and drum 103 can be positioned when the actuating rod 85 is advanced into the tubular hanger 76.

A cross-sectional view showing the clutch 118 and drum 103 rotatably supported in the tubular hanger 76 is shown in FIG. 14. The drum 103 which may be a molding is provided with recessess 104on its face and notches 131 on its periphery (FIG. 7). The intermediate cylindrical portion of the drum 103 is provided with the sprockets 106 and the end portion of the drum 103 opposite the face is formed with flat side surfaces 108 and provided with a central opening 110 for receiving the pilot shaft 112. The central opening 110 extends through the drum 103. The clutch 118 which may also be a molding is provided with projections 120 on the face thereof and formed with a central shaft 132 which projects from either end thereof. One end of the central shaft 132 resides in the central opening 110 of the drum 103 and the opposite end of the central shaft 132 is rotatably mounted in a bearing 128 secured to the side wall of the hanger 76. Pinion 116 is secured on the end of central shaft 132 of the clutch 118 and is engaged by the teeth of the rack 115. Thus when the clutch 118 is rotated in a clockwise direction by the inward travel of the rack 115 formed on the front portion of the actuating rod 85, the projections 120 on the face of the clutch l 18 mesh with the mating recesses 104 on the face of the drum 103 resulting in the chain being advanced an incremental distance along its path.

A conical spring 121 holds the face of drum 103 in engagement with the opposing face of the clutch 118. When the actuation rod 85 is returned by the spring 86, the conical spring 121 permits the faces of the clutch 118 and drum 103 to be separated as the walls of the projections 120 of the clutch slip relative to the walls of the recesses 104 on the drum 103. As viewed in FIGS. 5 and 6, a sliding member 124 provided with a groove 125 on the side thereof fits in a longitudinal slot 117 formed on the rear portion of the shelf 102 and thus straddles the wall of the slot. The sliding member 124 is provided with a dog 123 on the rear end thereof and with a stop 122 on the top thereof. The sliding member 124 is urged in a forward direction by a spring 127, one end of which is fitted on a pin 129 on the end of the slot 117 of the shelf 102. The other end of the spring 127 is positioned in an opening 130 in the end of the sliding member 124 opposite dog 123. Normally the dog 123 is urged to engage one of the notches 131 on the periphery of the drum 103 to thereby prevent the chain 107 and thus the posts 80 from being moved in a clockwise direction. Likewise the teeth of the rack 115 normally engaged the pinion 116 on the clutch 118 to thereby prevent the chain 107 from being moved in the couterclockwise direction. The cards 84 are thus secured on the hanger 76 by the posts 80.

As shown in FlGS. 2 and 3, in order to facilitate the movement of the posts 80 on the chain 107 about the stationary guide 105, a take up element 139 is positioned within the front end of the tubular hanger 76. The front end portion 140 of take up element 139 has a sliding engagement within the tubular hanger 76 and the opposite end portion of the take up element 139 forms a caming finger 141 which provides a ramp for the posts 80. The slot 83 is provided below the tubular hanger 76 to enable the caming finger 141 to be slipped on the end of the hanger 76. The take up elememt 139 is urged in a forward direction by a spring 142 which has one end seated in an opening 143 on the front end of the take up element 139 and its other end seated in an opening 144 on the rear end of cap 145 which is securely attached on the end of the tubular hanger 76.

In order to load the card holding device 75 with cards 84, it is necessary to reverse the direction of travel of the chain such that it rotates in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 8, after a card 84 has been placed on the front end of the tubular hanger 76. To accomplish this, which can be done by the shop keeper after hours. the actuating rod is released from the lever arm 96 by removing the bolt 97. The set screw 119, which is used for retaining the actuating rod 85 is the tubular hanger 76 and for limiting its travel, is then removed. The actuating rod 85 is then withdrawn from the tubular hanger 76. Referring to FIG. 4, a tool (not shown) is then used for moving the sliding member 124 forward against its spring 127 by contacting the stop 122 on the top thereof, thus causing the dog 123 to be disengaged from a notch 131 of the drum 103. The chain 107 which is now free to be moved in either direction is moved in the counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 8, to enable the posts 80 to be loaded one at a time with cards 84. As each post 80 approaches the rotating drum 103, its movement is synchronized so that the bottom of the post rests on one of the flat side surfaces 108 on the end portion of the drum 103. As the posts continue to rotate counterclockwise about the drum 103, the leaf spring 137 en- I closed in the housing 138 below the tubular hanger 76 provides for lifting and guiding the posts 80 into their horizontal positions on the bottom of the hanger 76 after they once leave the flat side surfaces 108 of the drum 103. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3, as the posts 80 are advanced by the chain 107 about the stationary guide the caming finger 141 of the take up element 139 functions to guide the posts 80 to their vertical po sition on the top of the shelf 102.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise a preferred form of putting the invention into effect and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A pilfer-proof merchandise card holding device comprising:

a tubular hanger on which merchandise cards can be hung by openings formed on the cards for that purpose;

said tubular hanger having a slot extending along the upper wall thereof;

a support for said tubular hanger;

an actuating rod slidably movable within said tubular hanger and'having a rear portion extending from the back thereof;

a rack formed on the end portion of the rod extending into said hanger;

a spring provided on the rear portion of said actuating rod for holding it in a withdrawn position;

a horizontal shelf within said tubular hanger below the slot of the upper wall thereof;

a sprocket drive rotatably mounted within said tubular hanger adjacent the inner end of said shelf;

a stationary cylindrical guide mounted within said tubular hanger adjacent the outer end of said shelf;

a continuous loop of chain having one end of its loop positioned on said sprocket drive and the other end of its loop positioned about said cylindrical guide so as to encircle said shelf;

a' plurality of spaced retaining posts attached to said chain, the posts on the portion of the chain above said shelf extending through the slot on the upper wall of said tubular hanger with one of the merchandise cards hanging on the hanger behind each of said posts;

a clutch having a pinion on the end thereof rotatably mounted within said tubular hanger for driving engagement with said sprocket drive; and

said rack onthe end portion of said actuating rod engaging said pinion;

whereby each time said actuating rod is depressed into said tubular hanger against the action of said spring, the rack on the end portion thereof rotates the clutch and the sprocket drive to thereby advance the chain and cause the forwardmost post extending through the slot on the upper wall of the hanger to be pulled by the chain to a position within the hanger.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 including:

a coin operated machine;

said coin operated machine having a handle'with an opening for receiving a coin;

lever means to depress the actuating rod when pivoted;

said coin operated machine operated to pivot said lever means when its handle is pushed inward with a coin in the opening thereof.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 1 includa set screw extending through the support for the hanger and into a slot provided along the length of said actuating rod;

said set screw providing for limiting the travel of said actuating rod when depressed.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 including an end portion on said sprocket drive provided with flatsides;

whereby the bottom of a post is synchronized to be positioned on one-of the flat sides of said portion as it is moved by the chain about the sprocket drive.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 including a take up element positioned within the outer end of said tubular hanger;

said take up element including a spring-loaded caming finger for assisting in the changing of the orientation of a post as it is carried by said chain about the stationary cylindrical guide.

6. The invention in accordance with claim I wherein the sprocket drive is provided with notches on the periphery thereof and including:

asliding member slidably supported on a slot provided on the inner end of said shelf;

said sliding member having a dog on the rear end thereof and a projecting stop on the top thereof;

said sliding member provided with a spring for urging said member in a rearward direction so that the dog engages one of the notches on the sprocket drive; and

said rack on the end of said actuating rod providing for contacting said stop to disengage the dog from said sprocket drive when the rod is depressed into said tubular hanger to thereby enable said rack to rotate said sprocket drive and drive said chain to advance the posts.

7. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said actuating rod can be readily disassembled from the rear end of said tubular hanger to enable said sprocket drive to be rotated in the opposite direction to thereby load the hanger with cards.

8. The invention in accordance with claim 7 including a leaf spring supported by one end below an opening provided on the lower wall of said tubular hanger;

said leaf springservingto lift said posts to a horizontal position for movement within said hanger by said chain during the loading of the cards on the hanger.

9. A pilfer-proof merchandise card holding device comprising:

a tubular hanger having a free end on which merchandise cards can be hung by openings formed on the cards for that purpose, said tubular hanger having an elongated slot on the upper wall theredf;

a bracket on the back end of said tubular hanger;

an actuating rod slidably moveable within said tubular hanger and having a rear portion extending from the back thereof;

a spring on the rear portion of said actuating rod for holding it in a withdrawn position;

an .elongated support means within said tubular hanger below the elongated slot on the upper wall thereof;

advancing means disposed above said elongated support means;

drive means operated by the movement of said actuating rod into said tubular hanger to advance said advancing means; and

a plurality of spaced retaining posts each of said posts being attached to said advancing means and being supported in a vertical position on said elongated support means so as to extend through the slot on the upper wall of said tubular hanger with one of said merchandise cards hanging on the hanger behind each of said posts;

whereby each time said actuating rod is moved into said tubular hanger against the action of said spring, said drive means incrementally advances said advancing means toward the free end of said tubular hanger to thereby cause the forwardmost retaining post to be advanced beyond the forward end of said support means and moved to an inclined position within said tubular hanger to permit the removal of one of said merchandise cards off the free end of said hanger.

Claims

1. A pilfer-proof merchandise card holding device comprising: a tubular hanger on which merchandise cards can be hung by openings formed on the cards for that purpose; said tubular hanger having a slot extending along the upper wall thereof; a support for said tubular hanger; an actuating rod slidably movable within said tubular hanger and having a rear portion extending from the back thereof; a rack formed on the end portion of the rod extending into said hanger; a spring provided on the rear portion of said actuating rod for holding it in a withdrawn position; a horizontal shelf within said tubular hanger below the slot of the upper wall thereof; a sprocket drive rotatably mounted within said tubular hanger adjacent the inner end of said shelf; a stationary cylindrical guide mounted within said tubular hanger adjacent the outer end of said shelf; a continuous loop of chain having one end of its loop positioned on said sprocket drive and the other end of its loop positioned about said cylindrical guide so as to encircle said shelf; a plurality of spaced retaining posts attached to said chain, the posts on the portion of the chain above said shelf extending through the slot on the upper wall of said tubular hanger with one of the merchandise cards hanging on the hanger behind each of said posts; a clutch having a pinion on the end thereof rotatably mounted within said tubular hanger for driving engagement with said sprocket drive; and said rack on the end portion of said actuating rod engaging said pinion; whereby each time said actuating rod is depressed into said tubular hanger against the action of said spring, the rack on the end portion thereof rotates the clutch and the sprocket drive to thereby advance the chain and cause the forwardmost post extending through the slot on the upper wall of the hanger to be pulled by the chain to a position within the hanger.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 including: a coin operated machine; said coin operated machine having a handle with an opening for receiving a coin; lever means to depress the actuating rod when pivoted; said coin operated machine operated to pivot said lever means when its handle is pushed inward with a coin in the opening thereof.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 1 including: a set screw extending through the support for the hanger and into a slot provided along the length of said actuating rod; said set screw providing for limiting the travel of said actuating rod when depressed.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 including an end portion on said sprocket drive provided with flat sides; whereby the bottom of a post is synchronized to the be positioned on one of the flat sides of said portion as it is moved by the chain about the sprocket drive.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 including a take up element positioned within the outer end of said tubular hanger; said take up element including a spring-loaded caming finger for assisting in the changing of the orientation of a post as it is carried by said chain about the stationary cylindrical guide.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the sprocket drive is provided witH notches on the periphery thereof and including: a sliding member slidably supported on a slot provided on the inner end of said shelf; said sliding member having a dog on the rear end thereof and a projecting stop on the top thereof; said sliding member provided with a spring for urging said member in a rearward direction so that the dog engages one of the notches on the sprocket drive; and said rack on the end of said actuating rod providing for contacting said stop to disengage the dog from said sprocket drive when the rod is depressed into said tubular hanger to thereby enable said rack to rotate said sprocket drive and drive said chain to advance the posts.

8. The invention in accordance with claim 7 including a leaf spring supported by one end below an opening provided on the lower wall of said tubular hanger; said leaf spring serving to life said posts to a horizontal position for movement within said hanger by said chain during the loading of the cards on the hanger.

9. A pilfer-proof merchandise card holding device comprising: a tubular hanger having a free end on which merchandise cards can be hung by openings formed on the cards for that purpose, said tubular hanger having an elongated slot on the upper wall thereof; a bracket on the back end of said tubular hanger; an actuating rod slidably moveable within said tubular hanger and having a rear portion extending from the back thereof; a spring on the rear portion of said actuating rod for holding it in a withdrawn position; a elongated support means within said tubular hanger below the elongated slot on the upper wall thereof; advancing means disposed above said elongated support means; drive means operated by the movement of said actuating rod into said tubular hanger to advance said advancing means; and a plurality of spaced retaining posts each of said posts being attached to said advancing means and being supported in a vertical position on said elongated support means so as to extend through the slot on the upper wall of said tubular hanger with one of said merchandise cards hanging on the hanger behind each of said posts; whereby each time said actuating rod is moved into said tubular hanger against the action of said spring, said drive means incrementally advances said advancing means toward the free end of said tubular hanger to thereby cause the forwardmost retaining post to be advanced beyond the forward end of said support means and moved to an inclined position within said tubular hanger to permit the removal of one of said merchandise cards off the free end of said hanger.