Sensor and lockout for anti-sweep hook

Abstract

A merchandise dispensing apparatus for deterring theft has at least one merchandise support module which includes a covering defining an interior space within the module. A support member and a dispensing member are mounted to the module, the dispensing member being mounted adjacent to the support member. A lockout device is also mounted to each module and connected to the dispensing member. The lockout device includes a housing with a user input member accessible from outside the housing. The user input member communicates with the dispensing member. A controller, which includes a memory and a processor, electrically communicates with the user input member. A sensor electrically communicates with the controller and senses the dispensing of an associated packaged item mounted on the support member. A signaling device electrically communicates with the controller to provide a notification upon the dispensing of the associated packaged item.

1 . A merchandise dispensing apparatus for deterring theft, comprising:
 at least one merchandise support module including a covering defining an interior space within the module;   a support member mounted to the module;   a dispensing member mounted to the module adjacent the support member;   a lockout device mounted to the at least one module and connected to the dispensing member, the lockout device including:
 a plurality of walls defining a housing; 
 a user input member accessible from outside the housing, the user input member communicating with the dispensing member; 
 a controller electrically communicating with the user input member, the controller including a memory and a processor; 
 a sensor electrically communicating with the controller and sensing the dispensing of an associated packaged item mounted on the support member; and 
 a signaling device electrically communicating with the controller to provide a notification upon the dispensing of the associated packaged item. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the signaling device comprises a speaker that generates an auditory signal in response to the dispensing of the associated packaged item. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the signaling device comprises a light-emitting diode that signals in response to the dispensing of the associated packaged item. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the lockout device further comprises an electro-mechanical lock electrically communicating with the controller to lock out operation of the dispensing member. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of spaced merchandise support modules are arranged side by side on a wall panel. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  where a plurality of spaced user input members are accessible to customers, each input device being connected to a respective module. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising a transceiver connected to each of the plurality of modules, the transceiver electrically communicating with the respective controllers of each of the plurality of modules upon the dispensing of an associated packaged item from any of the plurality of modules. 
     
     
         8 . A merchandise dispensing apparatus for deterring theft, comprising:
 at least two merchandise support modules each including a covering defining an interior space within the respective module;   a power bar, to which the at least two modules are electrically connected, adapted to provide electrical power to the at least two modules;   at least two lockout devices, each electrically communicating with a respective module, the at least two lockout devices each including:
 a plurality of walls defining a housing; 
 a user input member accessible from outside the housing, the user input member communicating with a respective module; 
 a controller electrically communicating with a respective module; and 
   a central controller including a memory and a processor, the central controller electrically communicating with the controllers of each respective module, the controllers of each respective module notifying the central controller upon the dispensing of an associated packaged item.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising an electro-mechanical lock connected to each respective lockout device, the electro-mechanical lock communicating with the central controller. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein upon notification of a dispensing event by a controller of a respective module, the central controller instructs at least one electro-mechanical lock to disable further dispensing activity for a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprises a signaling device mounted to at least one of the at least two lockout devices, the signaling device electrically communicating with the central controller. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein upon notification of a dispensing event by a controller of a respective module, the central controller instructs the signaling device to generate a signal concerning the dispensing event. 
     
     
         13 . A merchandise dispensing apparatus for deterring theft, comprising:
 at least one merchandise support module including a cover defining an interior space within the module;   a support member mounted to the module;   a dispensing member enclosed in the module adjacent the support member;   a lockout device mounted to the dispensing member, the lockout device including:
 a plurality of walls defining a housing; 
 an electro-mechanical user input member accessible from outside the housing; 
 a controller electrically communicating with the user input member, the controller including a memory and a processor; 
 an electrical motor for selectively operating the dispensing member, the electrical motor electrically communicating with the controller; and 
 a sensor electrically communicating to the controller for regulating the dispensing of an associated packaged item mounted on the support member. 
   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the electro-mechanical user input member comprises a push button. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the controller detects the triggering of the electro-mechanical user input member and engages the electric motor. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the controller engages the electric motor for a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the controller engages the electric motor for only so long as the electro-mechanical user input mechanism is being triggered. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the housing further comprises a compartment for accommodating a power source, the power source adapted to provide electrical power to the merchandise support module. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising a power bar adapted to provide electrical power to the merchandise support module, the merchandise support module being mounted to the power bar. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the power bar includes a connected wire running the length of the merchandise support module, the wire delivering electrical power to the merchandise support module. 
     
     
         21 . A method of dispensing merchandise to deter theft, comprising:
 providing at least two merchandise support modules, each including a support member and a dispensing member;   providing a lockout device mounted to each of the dispensing members of the at least two modules, each including a controller, a sensor and a user input member;   monitoring a triggering occurrence from a respective one of the at least two user input members via the controller;   detecting the dispensing of one of a plurality of packaged items via the sensor communicating with the controller;   determining whether to lockout a respective one of the at least two modules in response to the dispensing of one of a plurality of packaged items using the lockout device;   generating a signal upon the occurrence of a predetermined dispensing event; and   notifying other merchandise support modules of the dispensing of a packaged item.