Alarming pusher system
View Patent ↗An alarm device configured to monitor retail merchandise on a retail pusher system is provided. The alarm device includes a triggering mechanism that activates an alarm when retail merchandise is removed from the retail pusher system. The alarm makes store personnel aware that retail merchandise has been removed from a particular pusher system. In certain embodiments of the invention, the alarm device is disposed on a front stop of the retail pusher system. A biasing member of the pusher system biases retail merchandise into a switch of the alarm device. In this configuration, the alarm device may include a plunger switch that activates an alarm when retail merchandise is not biased into the plunger switch.
1. A retail merchandise pusher system, comprising: a merchandise guide track for supporting retail merchandise displayed on the pusher system; a pusher plate operatively connected to a biasing mechanism configured to bias the pusher plate in a biasing direction along the merchandise guide track; a front stop having a front surface facing away from the retail merchandise and a back surface facing towards the retail merchandise, the front stop configured to prevent retail merchandise from being pushed off the pusher system by the pusher plate; and an alarm device mechanically fixed against the back surface of the front stop and operatively configured to activate an alarm when retail merchandise is removed from the pusher system, the alarm device including an outer housing and an internal audible tone generation device carried within the housing, wherein the alarm device is mechanically fixed to the front stop by a first hook-shaped projection and a second hook-shaped projection, the first and second hook-shaped projections each have a contact portion and a distal portion, the contact portion extends perpendicularly from an inner facing surface of the front stop and the distal portion curves back toward a center axis transverse to the biasing direction, wherein the triggering device is a plunger switch located on a front surface of the alarm device, and further comprising a remote control that allows a user to deactivate the alarm.
2. The retail merchandise pusher system of claim 1 , wherein the alarm device is fixed to the front stop by foam adhesive strips configured to adhere a back surface of the alarm device to the front stop.
3. The retail merchandise pusher system of claim 1 , wherein the alarm device includes a triggering mechanism that activates an alarm when retail merchandise is removed from the pusher system.
4. The retail merchandise pusher system of claim 1 , wherein the plunger switch faces the pusher plate such that the pusher plate biases retail merchandise into the plunger switch.
5. The retail merchandise pusher system of claim 4 , wherein the plunger switch is actuated under one ounce of pressure.
6. The retail merchandise pusher system of claim 3 , wherein the triggering mechanism is a contact switch.
7. The retail merchandise pusher system of claim 3 , wherein the triggering mechanism is a light sensitive switch.
8. An alarm device configured to monitor retail merchandise displayed on a retail pusher system, comprising: an outer housing having a front surface oriented to face retail merchandise displayed on a retail pusher system; the outer housing further comprising a back surface configured for attachment to a front stop of the retail pusher system; and a switch located on the front surface and oriented to interact with the retail merchandise displayed on the retail pusher system such that a lead item of the retail merchandise will contact the switch upon being biased forward by the retail pusher system, wherein the switch is electrically coupled to an internal audible tone generation device carried within the housing, wherein the alarm device is mechanically fixed to the front stop by a first hook-shaped projection and a second hook-shaped projection, the first and second hook-shaped projections each have a contact portion and a distal portion, the contact portion extends perpendicularly from an inner facing surface of the front stop and the distal portion curves back toward a center axis transverse to the biasing direction, wherein the triggering device is a plunger switch located on a front surface of the alarm device, and further comprising a remote control that allows a user to deactivate the alarm.
9. The alarm device of claim 8 , wherein the back surface includes at least one foam adhesive strip configured to adhere the alarm device to the front stop of the retail pusher system.
10. The alarm device of claim 8 , wherein the switch is a plunger switch that activates an alarm when the plunger switch is not engaged.
11. The alarm device of claim 8 , wherein the back surface includes a resonant structure configured to allow an alarm to sound from the alarm device.
12. The alarm device of claim 8 , wherein the switch is a contact switch.
13. The alarm device of claim 9 , wherein the switch is a light sensitive switch.