Merchandise security system

• US 8,167,149 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2011
• Issued: 05/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fasteners for Retail Incorporated (FFR DSI Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Fasteners for Retail Incorporated (FFR DSI Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wamsley, Stephen D., Gray, Robert, Mueller, Paul A., Kump, Daniel J., Taylor, Curtis, Rataiczak, James J. III
• Primary Examiner(s): PUROL, SARAH L
• Application Number:
  US13/107,187
• Publication Number:
  US 20110220593A1
• Time in Patent Office: 354 Days
• Field of Search: 211/119.003, 211/59.3, 211/184, 211/189, 211/4, 108/60, 108/61
• US Class Current: 211/119.003
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 57/58 with means for adjusting partitions horizontally book-ends A47B65/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/04 Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles , e.g. by means of gravity or springs
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/12 dispensing from the side of an approximately horizontal stack A47F1/087 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/126 the pushing device being urged by spring means
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/002 Devices for protection against sunlight or theft
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/005 Partitions therefore horizontally adjustable A47B57/58; constructional details of drawers A47B88/90
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0068 Shelf extensions, e.g. fixed on price rail
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0861 Anti-theft means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles

Abstract

A merchandise security system includes a merchandise display having a first display member and a second display member vertically spaced from the first display member. At least one tile is mounted to the first display member. The at least one tile is movable between a first position blocking access to a desired column of associated merchandise stored on one of the first and second display members to a second position allowing access to the desired column of the associated merchandise. A lock member is operatively connected to the at least one tile for restricting movement of the at least one tile from its first position. The lock member is movable from the locked position where at the lock member interferes with movement from the at least one tile from its first position to an unlocked position which enables the at least one tile to be moved from its first position to its second position for allowing access to the desired column of associated merchandise.

Claims

1. A merchandise security system comprising:

a merchandise display including a first display member and a second display member vertically spaced from said first display member;

at least one tile mounted to the first display member, the at least one tile being moveable between a first position blocking access to a desired column of associated merchandise stored on one of said first and second display members to a second position allowing access to the desired column of the associated merchandise; and

a lock member operatively connected to the at least one tile for restricting movement of the at least one tile from its first position;

wherein the lock member is moveable from a locked position, whereat the lock member interferes with movement of the at least one tile from its first position, to an unlocked position which enables the at least one tile to be moved from its first position to its second position for allowing access to the desired column of associated merchandise.

2. A merchandise security system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one tile extends from the first display member towards the second display member when in the first position.

3. A merchandise security system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lock member includes a finger access tab for manual actuation.

4. A merchandise security system as set forth in claim 1, wherein, when the lock member is in the locked position, a surface of the lock member blocks movement of a corresponding surface of the tile.

5. A merchandise security system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one tile is pivotally attached to the first display member at a leading edge thereof by a hinge member.

6. A merchandise security system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one tile comprises a plurality of tiles which are pivotally attached to the first display member along a common axis, each tile being moveable to provide selective access to a desired column of merchandise.

7. A merchandise security system for use with an associated display member for selectively providing access to a column of merchandise, comprising:

at least one tile mounted to an associated display member at a position in front of at least one column of associated merchandise supported above or below the display member, the at least one tile being moveable between a first position blocking access to the column of the associated merchandise and a second position allowing access to the column of the associated merchandise; and

a lock member for restricting movement of the at least one tile from its first position;

wherein the lock member is operatively connected to the display member and is moveable relative to the at least one tile between a locked position where at the lock member interferes with movement of the at least one tile from its first position, and an unlocked position allowing the at least one tile to be moved between its first and second positions for allowing access to the desired column of the associated merchandise.

8. A merchandise security system as set forth in claim 7, wherein a face of the at least one tile is oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the column of associated merchandise when the at least one tile is in the first position, and wherein the tile is oriented substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the longitudinal axis of the column of associated merchandise when the at least one tile is in the second position.

9. A merchandise security system as set forth in claim 8, further comprising a hinge member for hingedly securing an edge of the tile to the associated display member.

10. A merchandise security system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the lock member includes a finger access tab for manual actuation.

11. A merchandise security system as set forth in claim 7, wherein, when the lock member is in the locked position, a surface of the lock member blocks movement of a corresponding surface of the tile.

12. A merchandise security system as set forth in claim 7, further comprising a plurality of tiles pivotally attached to the associated display member along a common axis, each tile being moveable to provide selective access to a desired column of merchandise.

13. A merchandise security system comprising:

a plurality of tiles disposed in front of at least one associated shelf, each tile selectively blocking access to a column of associated product held on the at least one associated shelf;

a pivot joint connecting each tile of said plurality of tiles to the at least one associated shelf, so that each tile is selectively pivotable in relation to the at least one associated shelf; and

wherein in a first position each tile retards access to the column of associated product held on the at least one associated shelf and in a second position each tile allows access to the column of associated product.

14. The merchandise security system of claim 13, further comprising a rail mounted to the at least one associated shelf wherein the pivot joint of each tile is connected to the rail.

15. The merchandise security system of claim 13, wherein a tile of the plurality of tiles extends from a first associated shelf towards a second associated shelf when the tile is in the first position.

16. The merchandise security system of claim 15 wherein the tile depends from the first associated shelf and approaches the second associated shelf.

17. The merchandise security system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of tiles extend along a common axis.

20. The merchandise security system of claim 13 wherein each tile of the plurality of tiles includes a first section disposed beneath the at least one associated shelf and a second section which is spaced forwardly from said first section so that it is disposed forwardly of the at least one associated shelf.

18. The merchandise security system of claim herein a first tile of the plurality of tiles includes a curved wall.

19. The merchandise security system of claim 18, wherein a portion of the curved wall is located in a first plane, the first plane being located in front of a second plane extending through the pivot joint of the first tile.