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(11) | EP 3 704 996 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | SECURITY DEVICE |
| (57) This invention relates to retail security devices. In particular this invention relates
to an anti-sweep device for a peg hook (4) and to a peg hook including an anti-sweep
device. A plurality of articles are suspended from a peg hook, the peg hook being
configured to extend through a hanging aperture of each of the articles and the shape
of the hanging apertures defining a hanging envelope. An anti-sweep device comprises
an arm (24) pivotally connected or connectable to the peg hook at a proximal end of
the arm. The arm is configured such that during removal of a first article from the
peg hook the arm moves from a first position in which at least a part of a distal
portion of the arm lies within the hanging envelope and a part of a proximal portion
of the arm lies outside the hanging envelope to a second position in which the proximal
portion lies within the hanging envelope and at least a part of the distal portion
moves outside the hanging envelope, to prevent removal of a second article from the
peg hook.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to retail security devices. In particular this invention relates to an anti-sweep device for a peg hook and to a peg hook including an anti-sweep device.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] In retail environments it is common to display goods or articles for sale on a peg hook. The articles are suspended from the peg hook by means of a hanging aperture or hang hole, which is typically provided in a tab or hanger connected to the article. The peg hook comprises one or two elongate prongs that extend through the hang holes of a plurality of articles, such that the articles are suspended from the peg hook one in front of another.
[0003] An identified form of retail theft involves a thief pulling a plurality of articles off the end of the peg hook at one time. This is commonly referred to as sweep.
[0004] A number of prior art anti-sweep peg hooks are known. These peg hooks are configured to prevent more than one article being removed from the peg hook at one time. Typically the anti-sweep peg hook will include a bend or curved section which means that each article must be twisted individually at the location of the bend or curved section to enable the article to be moved along to the end of the peg hook.
[0005] One of the problems with such prior art systems is that it is also necessary to load articles onto the peg hook one at a time, thereby increasing the time it takes to stock retail displays. Furthermore, if an entity wishes to introduce an anti-sweep system in their retail display, it is necessary to replace the complete peg hook, which is expensive.
[0006] Other prior art anti-sweep systems comprise a locking device that is secured to the free end of the peg hook. This prevents any articles being removed from the peg hook without the locking device being unlocked and removed by an authorised person.
[0007] This system, however, means that an authorised person must always be available to unlock the device when required. This may be a significant disadvantage in larger retail establishments in which a large number of articles of relatively low value are displayed on peg hooks.
[0008] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved anti-sweep device that overcome some of the disadvantages of prior art anti-sweep devices, whether referred to herein or otherwise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A first aspect of the present invention provides an anti-sweep device for a peg hook from which is suspended a plurality of articles, the peg hook configured to extend through a hanging aperture of each of the articles and the shape of the hanging apertures defining a hanging envelope, the device comprising:
- an arm pivotally connected or connectable to said peg hook at a proximal end of the arm, the arm being configured such that, in use, during removal of a first article from the peg hook the arm moves from a first position in which at least a part of a distal portion of the arm lies within the hanging envelope and a part of a proximal portion of the arm lies outside the hanging envelope to a second position in which the proximal portion lies within the hanging envelope and at least a part of the distal portion moves outside the hanging envelope to prevent removal of a second article from the peg hook.
[0010] The anti-sweep device preferably further comprises a main body, the main body being connected or connectable to the peg hook and the arm being pivotally connected to the main body. The main body is preferably configured to connect to a looped peg hook and includes a pair of channels, each of the channels sized to engage with a prong of the looped peg hook. In preferred embodiments the channels are disposed on opposite sides of the main body such that, in use, the main body of the device is disposed between the two prongs of the looped peg hook.
[0011] In some embodiments the anti-sweep device further comprises a securing member configured to engage with a part of the peg hook to retain the main body in a fixed position with respect to the peg hook. In preferred embodiments the securing member comprises a hook for engaging with an end of a looped peg hook.
[0012] A proximal end of the arm is preferably received in a recess in the main body. In preferred embodiments the recess includes a first abutment surface and the proximal end of the arm includes a first limit surface and wherein, when the arm is in the first position, the first limit surface is in contact with the first abutment surface. The recess preferably further includes a second abutment surface and the proximal end of the arm includes a second limit surface and wherein, when the arm is in the second position, the second limit surface is in contact with the second abutment surface.
[0013] In preferred embodiments the arm is biased into the first position. The anti-sweep device may comprise a spring connected between the main body and the arm and arranged to bias the arm into the first position.
[0014] Preferably the proximal portion of the arm is curved. In some embodiments a first region of the proximal portion of the arm is curved in a first direction and a second region of the proximal portion of the arm is curved in a second direction.
[0015] In preferred embodiments when the arm is in the first position the distal portion of the arm and a part of the proximal portion of the arm lie above a plane defined by an upper face of the main body and, when the arm is in the second position the distal tip and at least a part of the distal portion of the arm lie below a plane defined by a lower face of the main body.
[0016] A second aspect of the invention provides an anti-sweep assembly comprising:
- a peg hook from which is suspended a plurality of articles, the peg hook configured to extend through a hanging aperture of each of the articles and the shape of the hanging apertures defining a hanging envelope; and
- an anti-sweep device comprising an arm pivotally connected to the peg hook at a proximal end of the arm, the arm being configured such that, in use, during removal of a first article from the peg hook the arm moves from a first position in which at least a part of a distal portion of the arm lies within the hanging envelope and a part of a proximal portion of the arm lies outside the hanging envelope to a second position in which the proximal portion lies within the hanging envelope and at least a part of the distal portion moves outside the hanging envelope to prevent removal of a second article from the peg hook, and wherein the arm is biased into the first position.
[0017] The anti-sweep device preferably further comprises a main body, the main body being connected to the peg hook and the arm being pivotally connected to the main body.
[0018] A third aspect of the invention provides a method of securing an anti-sweep device to a looped peg hook, the looped peg hook including two prongs and a looped end connecting the two prongs, and the method comprising:
- engaging a first one of the two prongs in a first channel in a main body of the anti-sweep device;
- engaging a second one of the two prongs in a second channel in a main body of the anti-sweep device; and
- engaging a securing member of the anti-sweep device with the looped end of the peg hook,
wherein the arm the arm is movable between a first position in which a distal portion of the arm and a part of a proximal portion of the arm lie above a plane defined by an upper face of the main body and a second position in which a distal tip and at least a part of the distal portion of the arm lie below a plane defined by a lower face of the main body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The invention will now be further described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a plurality of articles suspended from a double prong peg hook, the peg hook extending through a hanging aperture in each of the articles;
Figure 2 illustrates a hanging envelope defined by the hanging apertures of the plurality of articles of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of an anti-sweep device for a peg hook according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a further perspective view of the anti-sweep device of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a plan view of the top of the anti-sweep device of Figure 3;
Figure 6 is a plan view of the bottom of the anti-sweep device of Figure 3;
Figure 7 is an end view of the anti-sweep device of Figure 3;
Figure 8 illustrates the anti-sweep device of Figure 3 partially engaged with a double prong peg hook;
Figure 9 illustrates the anti-sweep device of Figure 3 fully engaged with a double prong peg hook;
Figure 10 illustrates the anti-sweep device of Figure 3 engaged with a peg hook from which is suspended a plurality of articles, an arm of the anti-sweep device being in a first position; and
Figure 11 illustrates the anti-sweep device of Figure 3 engaged with a peg hook from which is suspended a plurality of articles, an arm of the anti-sweep device being in a second position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Figure 1 shows a plurality of articles 2 suspended or hanging from a peg hook 4. Peg hooks are typically used to display articles in a retail environment, such as a shop or store. The illustrated peg hook 4 is a double pronged peg hook or Euro peg hook. The two prongs 6 of the peg hook 4 are joined at their ends and this type of peg hook may be referred to as a looped peg hook or looped Euro hook.
[0021] A label holder or swing tag 8 is attached to the looped end 10 of the peg hook 4. This swing tag 8 is typically used to display product information including a price.
[0022] Each of the articles 2 includes a hanging aperture or hang hole 12. In the illustrated embodiment the hang hole 12 is a Euro slot (which may also be referred to as an inverted T, a sombrero or a butterfly hang hole). The Euro slot hang hole 12 comprises an elongate lower region 14 and an upper projection 16 centrally disposed along a length of the lower region 14. In use each of the prongs 6 of the Euro peg hook 4 extends through a respective end portion of the lower region 14 of the hang hole 12.
[0023] Typically the hang hole 12 is disposed proximate an upper edge of the article 2 such that the majority of the article 2 is disposed below the peg hook 4. Furthermore, the hang hole 12 is typically centrally located across a width of the article 2 so that the article 2 hangs substantially vertically from the peg hook 4. The hang hole 12 may be provided in a packaging part of the article, or in a security item such as a safer box in which a product is displayed.
[0024] The plurality of articles 2 are arranged one behind the other on the peg hook 4. Accordingly, the set of hanging apertures 12 of the plurality of articles 2 defines a hanging envelope 18, as illustrated in Figure 2. The boundaries of the hanging envelope 18 are defined by the edges of the hanging apertures 12.
[0025] It will be appreciated, in particular from the illustration in Figure 1, that it is possible with this configuration of articles 2 on a standard peg hook 4 to pull more than one article 2 off the end of the peg hook 4 in one go. This is known as sweep and is a technique that may be used by thieves to steal a large number of articles in a short time.
[0026] Figures 3 to 7 illustrate an anti-sweep device 20 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The anti-sweep device 20 is designed to engage with and be secured to a peg hook 4 to prevent multiple articles being removed from the peg hook 4 in a single operation. An advantage of the anti-sweep device 20 is that it may be fitted to existing peg hooks 4, such that it is not necessary to complete replace the peg hook.
[0027] The illustrated embodiment is configured to be secured to a looped or Euro peg hook, in a manner described further below.
[0028] The anti-sweep device 20 comprises a main body 22 and an arm 24 pivotally connected to the main body 22. The main body 22 is configured to engage with and fit between the two prongs 6 of the looped peg hook 4. The arm 24 is elongate and extends from the main body 22.
[0029] The main body 22 comprises an upper face 26 and an opposite lower face 28, opposite front and rear ends 30, 32, and opposite first and second sides 34, 36. A distance between the upper and lower faces 26, 28 defines a thickness of the main body 22, a distance between the front and rear ends 30, 32 defines a length of the main body 22, and a distance between the first and second sides 34, 36 defines a width of the main body 22. Edges or corners 38 of the main body 22 between the front end 30 and each of the first and second sides 34, 36 are chamfered. The chamfered edges 38 are provided to accommodate the curvature of the looped end 10 of the peg hook 4 as described further below.
[0030] A channel 40 is provided in each of the first and second sides 34, 36. Each channel 40 extends for the full length of the side 34, 36, between the rear end 32 and the chamfered edge 38. Each channel 40 has a rounded profile. In particular a cross-section of the channel 40 perpendicular to an axis of the channel 40 is substantially semi-circular. A width of the channel 40 at its opening in the side 34, 36 of the main body 22 is only slightly smaller than a thickness of the main body 22 between the upper and lower faces 26, 28. As such, opposite edge regions 42 of the main body 22 adjacent each of the first and second sides 34, 36 are in the form of a pair of narrow legs or rails 44. Furthermore, a thickness of the main body 22 proximate a base of each channel 40 is less than a thickness of the main body 22 at each of the first and second sides 34, 36. The rails 44 therefore flare outwardly or splay in a direction away from the main body 22.
[0031] A recess 46 is provided in the rear end 32 of the main body 22. The recess 46 extends fully between the upper and lower faces 26, 28 of the main body 22. The recess 46 is disposed in a central portion of the rear end 32. A first part of the recess 48 at the rear end 32 extends between first and second end walls 50, 51 in a direction parallel to the rear end 32 of the main body 22. Accordingly, the first end wall 50 is disposed proximate but spaced from the base of the channel 40 in the first side 34 of the main body 22 and the second end wall 51 is disposed proximate but spaced from the base of the channel 40 in the second side 36 of the main body 22. A second part of the recess 52 extends from the first part 48 in a direction towards the front end 30 of the main body 22. The second part of the recess 52 is narrower than the first part 48 in a width direction of the main body 22, and extends from a generally central region of the first part 48.
[0032] In this embodiment the second part of the recess 52 includes a step. Accordingly the second part of the recess 52 includes a first abutment surface substantially parallel to the upper face 26 of the main body 22 and a second abutment surface substantially perpendicular to the upper face 26 of the main body 22.
[0033] The recess 46 is configured to receive a proximal end section 54 of the arm 24. In particular a proximal end 56 of the arm 24 is received in the second part of the recess 52. A pivot section 58 of the arm 24, adjacent the proximal end 56 is pivotally connected to the main body 22 in the first part of the recess 48. A pivot pin 60 extends across the first part of the recess 48 between the first and second end walls 50, 51. The pivot pin 60 extends through a pivot hole in the arm 24. As such, the arm 24 pivots about an axis that is substantially parallel to the rear end 32 of the main body 22, and which is substantially perpendicular to the sides 34, 36 of the main body 22.
[0034] The proximal end 56 of the arm 24 includes a step or shoulder. The shoulder of the arm 24 provides a first limit surface that extends substantially parallel to the upper face 26 of the main body 22 and a second limit surface that extends substantially perpendicular to the upper face 26 of the main body 22, when the arm 24 is connected to the main body 22. The shoulder of the arm 24 is therefore configured to engage with the step in the recess 46 of the main body 22.
[0035] The arm 24 is able to move between a first position, in which the first limit surface of the arm 24 contacts the first abutment surface of the main body 22, and a second position in which the second limit surface of the arm 24 contacts the second abutment surface of the main body 22.
[0036] Biasing means 62 is connected to the arm 24 and is configured to bias the arm 24 into the first position. In this embodiment the biasing means comprises a biasing member 62 connected between the main body 22 and the arm 24. The biasing member 62 preferably comprises a spring. As shown most clearly in Figures 5 and 6, in this embodiment the biasing member 62 is a torsion spring. The torsion spring 62 comprises a coil portion 64 that is engaged around a part of the pivot pin 60 and a first spring arm 66 that is attached to the main body 22. A second spring arm 68 of the torsion spring 62 is connected to a part of the arm 24 at a distance from the pivot section 58, and on an opposite side of the pivot section 58 to the proximal end 56.
[0037] The elongate arm 24 extends from the main body 22 and terminates at a distal end or tip 70. In this embodiment a distal portion 72 of the arm 24 adjacent the tip 70 is substantially straight. A proximal portion 74 of the arm 24, extending between the distal portion 72 and the proximal end 56, is curved and, in particular, includes a first region in which the arm 24 is curved in a first direction and a second region in which the arm 24 is curved in a second direction. The proximal portion 74 of the arm 24 is therefore substantially S-shaped.
[0038] When the arm 24 is in the first position the distal portion 72 of the arm 24 and at least the first region of the proximal portion 74 of the arm 24 lie above a plane defined by the upper face 26 of the main body 22. When the arm 24 is in the second position the distal tip 70 and at least a part of the distal portion 72 of the arm 24 lie below a plane defined by the lower face 28 of the main body 22.
[0039] A securing member 76 is connected to the main body 22 of the device 20. The securing member 76 protrudes from the front end 30 of the main body 22. In this embodiment the securing member 76 comprises a sheet or thin plate. The securing member 76 has a thickness such that the securing member 76 has a degree of flexibility or resilience. A proximal end 78 of the securing member 76 is secured to the upper face 26 of the main body 22. A distal end 80 of the securing member 76 is curved such that it is in the form of a hook 80.
[0040] Figures 8 and 9 show the anti-sweep device 20 of the present embodiment being secured to a looped peg hook 4 or looped Euro hook.
[0041] In a first step the main body 22 of the device 20 is inserted between the two prongs 6 of the looped peg hook 4 at a distance from the looped end 10 of the peg hook 4. The anti-sweep device 20 is oriented such that the securing member 76 extends towards the looped end 10 of the peg hook 4 and the elongate arm 24 extends away from the looped end 10 of the peg hook 4. When the main body 22 is correctly positioned between the prongs 6, a first one of the prongs 6 is seated in the channel 40 in the first side 34 of the main body 22 and a second one of the prongs 6 is seated in the channel 40 in the second side 36 of the main body 22, as shown in Figure 8. The main body 22 is, therefore, effectively clamped between the two prongs 6 of the looped peg hook 4. Engaging the main body 22 between the prongs 6 in this way is preferably achieved by seating the first prong 6 in its channel 40 and then pressing or twisting the main body 22 so that the second prong 6 clips or snaps into its respective channel 40 on the opposite side of the main body 22.
[0042] In a second step the main body 22 of the device 20 is slid or moved towards the looped end 10 of the peg hook 4. As the distal end 80 of the securing member 76 contacts the looped end 10, the securing member 76 flexes or bends so that the hook 80 clips over the looped end 10 of the peg hook 4. The looped end 10 of the peg hook 4 is therefore retained between the hook 80 of the securing member 76 and the front end 30 of the main body 22, as shown in Figure 9. In this embodiment therefore the securing member 76 is in the form of a clip. The chamfered edges 38 at the front of the main body 22 allow space to accommodate the curvature of the peg hook 4 between the looped end 10 and the elongate prongs 6. The main body 22 of the device 20 therefore effectively secures or connects the arm 24 to the peg hook 4.
[0043] It will be appreciated that, with the anti-sweep device 20 secured to the peg hook 4 in this way, the main body 22 of the device 20 lies within the region of the hanging envelope 18 defined by the elongate lower region 14 of the Euro slot hang holes 12.
[0044] With the arm 24 in the first position the distal tip 70 of the elongate arm 24 also lies within the hanging envelope 18. The shoulder of the arm 24 and the step in the recess 46 of the main body 22 may be configured such that, when the arm 24 is in the first position, the distal tip 70 of the arm 24 lies within the region of the hanging envelope 18 defined by the upper projection 16 of the Euro slot hang holes 12.
[0045] With reference to Figure 10, as an article 2 is moved towards the end of the peg hook 4, the distal tip 70 of the arm 24 enters the hang hole 12 of the article 2. Continued movement of the article 2 in this direction causes an upper edge of the hang hole 12 to contact and press the distal portion 72 of the arm 24. In particular an upper edge of the hang hole 12 around the upper projection 16 contacts an upper surface of the arm 24. The arm 24 is moved in a direction towards its second position against the biasing force of the spring 62 by the contact of the edge of the hang hole 12 with the distal portion 72 of the arm 24. During a first section of travel of the article 2 along the peg hook 4 therefore the distal portion 72 of the arm 24 is within the hanging envelope 18 and passes through the hang hole 12 of the article 2.
[0046] With reference now to Figure 11, as the article 2 continues to move closer to the main body 22 of the anti-sweep device 20 the edge of the hang hole 12 contacts the proximal portion 74 of the arm 24. The curvature of this portion of the arm 24 means that the arm 24 is forced further towards the second position against the biasing force of the spring 62. Furthermore, the distal tip 70 of the arm 24 moves outside the hanging envelope 18. In particular, the distal tip 70 of the arm 24 moves to a position below the lower face 28 of the main body 22 and below a lower edge of the hang hole 12. During a second section of travel of the article 2 along the peg hook 4 therefore the proximal portion 74 of the arm 24 is within the hanging envelope 18 and passes through the hang hole 12 of the article 2. At the same time at least a part of the distal portion 72 of the arm 24 lies outside the hanging envelope 18.
[0047] During the second section of travel of the article 2 the arm 24 moves into the second position. In this position the part of the distal portion 72 of the arm 24 that lies outside the hanging envelope 18, and in particular the distal tip 70 of the arm 24, prevents a second or further article 2 from being removed from the peg hook 4. As illustrated in Figure 11, with the distal tip 70 lying outside the hanging envelope 18, the distal tip 70 contacts a part of the second article 2 preventing that article from being moved further along the peg hook 4.
[0048] It will be appreciated that the shape of the arm 24 is such that at no point does the full length of the arm 24 lie within the hanging envelope 18 at the same time. During pivoting of the arm 24 between the first and second positions at least a part of the proximal portion 74 of the arm 24 or a part of the distal portion 72 of the arm 24 lies outside the hanging envelope 18.
[0049] The transition between the distal portion 72 of the arm 24 and the proximal portion 74 of the arm 24 may be defined as the position along the length of the arm 24 where the edge of the hang hole 12 is in contact with the arm 24 when the distal tip 70 of the arm 24 moves outside the hanging envelope 18.
[0050] Once the first article 2 has been removed from the peg hook 4, the arm 24 automatically returns to its first position. A second article 2 can then be removed from the peg hook 4 as described above. The anti-sweep device 20 therefore only permits a single article 2 to be removed from the peg hook 4 at one time.
[0051] A further advantage of some embodiments of the anti-sweep device 20 of the present invention is that the device 20 may be retro-fitted to existing peg hooks 4.
[0052] In the above embodiment the arm 24 was biased into the first position by a suitable biasing member 62. In other embodiments the anti-sweep device may not include biasing means. In these embodiments the proximal end of the arm may be configured such that a part of an edge of the hanging aperture of the article applies a force to a part of the proximal end of the arm as the article is removed from the peg hook. This force moves the arm back to the first position. In particular, the arm may be configured such that when the arm is in the second position a part of the proximal end of the arm protrudes above the upper face of the main body of the device and is contactable by a part of an article being removed from the looped end of the peg hook.
[0053] While the particular embodiment of the device 20 that has been described and illustrated includes an arm 24 mounted such that the distal tip 70 of the arm 24 moves vertically with respect to articles 2 hanging from a peg hook 4, it will be appreciated that alternative embodiments of the anti-sweep device 20 may be configured such that the distal tip 70 of the arm 24 moves in any suitable direction with respect to the peg hook 4 and the articles 2. Importantly, the anti-sweep device 20 is configured such that the distal tip 70 of the arm 24 lies outside the hanging envelope 18 when the arm 24 is in the second position.
[0054] The main body 22 of the device 20 may be configured to secure or attach to different types and configurations of peg hook 4. Similarly, the anti-sweep device 20, and in particular the arm 24, may be configured to cooperate or engage with hang holes 12 having a different shape to that described here. The hang hole may, for example, be circular or triangular.
1. An anti-sweep device for a peg hook from which is suspended a plurality of articles,
the peg hook configured to extend through a hanging aperture of each of the articles
and the shape of the hanging apertures defining a hanging envelope, the device comprising:
- an arm pivotally connected or connectable to said peg hook at a proximal end of the arm, the arm being configured such that, in use, during removal of a first article from the peg hook the arm moves from a first position in which at least a part of a distal portion of the arm lies within the hanging envelope and a part of a proximal portion of the arm lies outside the hanging envelope to a second position in which the proximal portion lies within the hanging envelope and at least a part of the distal portion moves outside the hanging envelope to prevent removal of a second article from the peg hook.
2. An anti-sweep device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the arm is biased into the first
position.
3. An anti-sweep device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, further comprising a main body,
the main body being connected or connectable to the peg hook and the arm being pivotally
connected to the main body.
4. An anti-sweep device as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the main body is configured to
connect to a looped peg hook, the main body including a pair of channels, each of
the channels sized to engage with a prong of the looped peg hook.
5. An anti-sweep device as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the channels are disposed on opposite
sides of the main body such that, in use, the main body of the device is disposed
between the two prongs of the looped peg hook.
6. An anti-sweep device as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 5, further comprising a
securing member configured to engage with a part of the peg hook to retain the main
body in a fixed position with respect to the peg hook.
7. An anti-sweep device as claimed in Claim 6, when dependent on Claim 4 or Claim 5,
wherein the securing member comprises a hook for engaging with an end of the looped
peg hook.
8. An anti-sweep device as claimed in any preceding claim when dependent on Claim 3,
wherein a proximal end of the arm is received in a recess in the main body.
9. An anti-sweep device as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the recess includes a first abutment
surface and the proximal end of the arm includes a first limit surface and wherein,
when the arm is in the first position, the first limit surface is in contact with
the first abutment surface.
10. An anti-sweep device as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the recess includes a second abutment
surface and the proximal end of the arm includes a second limit surface and wherein,
when the arm is in the second position, the second limit surface is in contact with
the second abutment surface.
11. An anti-sweep device as claimed in any preceding claim when dependent on Claim 3,
further comprising a spring connected between the main body and the arm and arranged
to bias the arm into the first position.
12. An anti-sweep device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the proximal portion
of the arm is curved.
13. An anti-sweep device as claimed in Claim 12, wherein a first region of the proximal
portion of the arm is curved in a first direction and a second region of the proximal
portion of the arm is curved in a second direction.
14. An anti-sweep device as claimed in any preceding claim when dependent on Claim 3,
wherein, when the arm is in the first position the distal portion of the arm and a
part of the proximal portion of the arm lie above a plane defined by an upper face
of the main body and, when the arm is in the second position the distal tip and at
least a part of the distal portion of the arm lie below a plane defined by a lower
face of the main body.
15. An anti-sweep assembly comprising:
- a peg hook from which is suspended a plurality of articles, the peg hook configured to extend through a hanging aperture of each of the articles and the shape of the hanging apertures defining a hanging envelope; and
- an anti-sweep device comprising an arm pivotally connected to the peg hook at a proximal end of the arm, the arm being configured such that, in use, during removal of a first article from the peg hook the arm moves from a first position in which at least a part of a distal portion of the arm lies within the hanging envelope and a part of a proximal portion of the arm lies outside the hanging envelope to a second position in which the proximal portion lies within the hanging envelope and at least a part of the distal portion moves outside the hanging envelope to prevent removal of a second article from the peg hook, and wherein the arm is biased into the first position.
16. An anti-sweep assembly as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the anti-sweep device further
comprises a main body, the main body being connected to the peg hook and the arm being
pivotally connected to the main body.
17. A method of securing an anti-sweep device to a looped peg hook, the looped peg hook
including two prongs and a looped end connecting the two prongs, and the method comprising:
wherein the arm the arm is movable between a first position in which a distal portion of the arm and a part of a proximal portion of the arm lie above a plane defined by an upper face of the main body and a second position in which a distal tip and at least a part of the distal portion of the arm lie below a plane defined by a lower face of the main body.
- engaging a first one of the two prongs in a first channel in a main body of the anti-sweep device;
- engaging a second one of the two prongs in a second channel in a main body of the anti-sweep device; and
- engaging a securing member of the anti-sweep device with the looped end of the peg hook,
wherein, the anti-sweep device further comprises an elongate arm extending from the main body and the device is engaged with the peg hook such that the arm extends in a direction away from the looped end of the peg hook, andwherein the arm the arm is movable between a first position in which a distal portion of the arm and a part of a proximal portion of the arm lie above a plane defined by an upper face of the main body and a second position in which a distal tip and at least a part of the distal portion of the arm lie below a plane defined by a lower face of the main body.