Theft deterrent system hook

• US 7,533,784 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2007
• Issued: 05/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLC (WestRock Company)
• Original Assignee: Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLC (WestRock Company)
• Inventors: Lockwood, Thomas, Miller, Roger, Vlastakis, Kirk
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford; Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Randall, Jr.; Kelvin L
• Application Number:
  US11/761,847
• Publication Number:
  US 20070283615A1
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 221/1, 221/2, 221/3, 221/15, 221/25, 221/34, 221/92, 221/109, 221/151, 221/152, 221/153, 221/154, 221/186, 221/187, 221/188, 221/191, 221/192, 221/193, 221/194, 221/195, 221/196, 221/200, 221/202, 221/203, 221/204, 221/205, 221/208, 221/209, 221/221, 221/222, 221/223, 221/224, 221/226, 221/227, 221/230, 221/231, 221/232, 221/234, 221/235, 221/255, 221/256, 221/257, 221/258, 221/261, 221/268, 221/270, 221/271, 221/272, 221/273, 221/275, 221/276, 221/277, 221/279, 221/280, 221/283, 221/289, 221/311, 211/4, 211/7, 211/8
• US Class Current: 221/258
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0861 Anti-theft means therefor

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus for dispensing products that includes a theft deterrent retail product dispensing hook. In certain embodiments, the hook prevents product “sweeping” (where a thief quickly empties a conventional retail hook of product) and also delivers a time-delayed delivery of product per hook. A specific embodiment of a time-delay display hook system comprises a two-prong system having an upper member and a lower member, with the upper member supporting a dispensing system and the lower member supporting a product to be dispensed. Upon triggering of an activation member, the dispensing system releases a single product and provides a time-delay between dispensing of further product.

Claims

1. A time-delay display hook system, comprising:

(a) a two-prong system having an upper member and a lower member, the upper member adapted to support a dispensing system and the lower member adapted to support product to be dispensed;

(b) a dispensing system associated with the upper member, the dispensing system comprising a motor, a blocking member, and an activation member,

wherein the activation member is adapted to be triggered to release a product to be dispensed from the lower member, wherein upon triggering of the activation member (i) the blocking member is activated to prevent further product from being dispensed and (ii) the motor is activated to prevent further turning of the activation member until the motor times out, providing a time-delay between dispensing of individual products.

2. The time-delay display hook system of claim 1, wherein the blocking member comprises a stop disc.

3. The time-delay display hook system of claim 1, wherein the blocking member has a blocked position and an open position, and wherein activation of the motor turns the blocking member to its blocked position and as the motor runs, the blocking member begins slowly moving away from its blocked position toward its open position, such that when the motor times out, the blocking member is in its open position and permits product to pass.

4. The time-delay display hook system of claim 1, wherein the activation member comprises a knob with a portion to be grasped and a dispensing groove.

5. The time-delay display hook system of claim 1, further comprising a dispensing bar system.

6. The time-delay display hook system of claim 5, wherein the dispensing bar system comprises a support bar and a support pusher.

7. The time-delay display hook system of claim 6, wherein the support pusher comprises an engaging system, wherein the upper member comprises a flat plate, and wherein the engaging system receives the flat plate.

8. The time-delay display hook system of claim 1, further comprising a spring associated with the motor, wherein when the activation member is turned, the spring is wound.

9. The time-delay display hook system of claim 1, wherein the dispensing system comprises a key lock feature.

10. The time-delay display hook system of claim 1, wherein the two-prong system is associated with a mounting member.

11. The time-delay display hook system of claim 1, further comprising a sound producing mechanism for producing an audible sound when product is dispensed.

12. The time-delay display hook system of claim 11, wherein the sound producing mechanism is a mechanically produced clicking sound.

13. The time-delay display hook system of claim 12, wherein the sound producing mechanism is an electronically activated beeping sound.

14. A method of dispensing products comprising:

(a) providing a time-delay display hook system having an upper member and a lower member, the upper member supporting a dispensing system comprising a motor, a blocking member, and an activation member;

(b) providing at least one product supported by the lower member; and

(c) triggering the activation member to (i) dispense one of the at least one products from the lower member, (ii) activate the blocking member to prevent further product from being released from the lower member, and (iii) activate the motor to prevent further turning of the activation member until the motor times out.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing a blocking member that is a stop disc.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing a dispensing bar system comprising a support bar and a support pusher, wherein the support pusher helps move the at least one product forward along the lower member.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising winding a spring associated with the motor when the activation member is turned.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing a time-delay display hook system having a key lock feature.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising mounting the time-delay display hook system to a support structure using a mounting member.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising activating a sound producing mechanism for producing an audible sound when the at least one product is dispensed.