Universal mounting bracket for merchandise display hooks

Abstract

A universal mounting bracket tightly attaches display hooks having a common base to a display structure, thereby restraining movement of the display hook relative to the display structure. The mounting bracket includes a mounting member having a feature that cooperates with a complimentary feature on the common base to mount the display hook onto the mounting bracket, an engaging member for engaging the mounting member with the display structure, and a securing member for securing the mounting member against the display structure. The mounting member may include a plate with an outer periphery having a rib that is received within a groove formed in the common base in an interference fit, and the securing member may include an adjustment guide and an adjustment element configured for guided movement relative to the adjustment guide in a direction generally perpendicular to a plane defined by the plate of the mounting member.

1 . A universal mounting bracket for attaching a display hook to a display structure comprising:
 a mounting member for mounting the display hook on the mounting bracket;   an engaging member for engaging the mounting member with the display structure; and   a securing member for securing the mounting member against the display structure;   wherein the mounting member comprises a plate having an outer periphery configured to receive a complimentary feature of the display hook such that the mounting bracket and the display hook are substantially restrained from movement relative to the display structure.   
   
   
       2 . The universal mounting bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein a rib is formed on the outer periphery of at least one side of the plate of the mounting member and a complimentary groove is formed in a base of the display hook. 
   
   
       3 . The universal mounting bracket according to  claim 2 , wherein the base of the display hook engages the mounting member such that the rib of the mounting member is received within the groove of the base of the display hook. 
   
   
       4 . The universal mounting bracket according to  claim 3 , wherein the rib of the mounting member is received within the groove of the base of the display hook in an interference fit. 
   
   
       5 . The universal mounting bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein the securing member comprises an adjustment guide and an adjustment element configured for guided movement relative to the adjustment guide. 
   
   
       6 . The universal mounting bracket according to  claim 5 , wherein the adjustment element has a free end that engages the plate of the mounting member and exerts a force against the mounting member in a direction generally perpendicular to the plate. 
   
   
       7 . The universal mounting bracket according to  claim 6 , wherein the adjustment element is configured to receive a tool operable for moving the adjustment element in the direction generally perpendicular to the plate. 
   
   
       8 . The universal mounting bracket according to  claim 1 , further comprising a locking member for locking the display hook onto the mounting bracket. 
   
   
       9 . The universal mounting bracket according to  claim 8 , wherein the locking member comprises a forward-facing surface having a hole formed therein for receiving a biased locking pin provided on the base of the display hook. 
   
   
       10 . The universal mounting bracket according to  claim 9 , wherein the forward-facing surface is generally parallel to the plate of the mounting member and comprises an upper edge that is beveled to urge movement of the locking pin against a biasing force. 
   
   
       11 . The universal mounting bracket according to  claim 10 , wherein the locking pin is made of a magnetic material and a magnetic key overcomes the biasing force to thereby retract the locking pin from the hole. 
   
   
       12 . A universal mounting bracket for attaching a display hook having a common base to a display structure, the mounting bracket comprising:
 a mounting member having a feature configured to cooperate with a complimentary feature provided on the common base of the display hook to mount the display hook onto the mounting bracket;   an engaging member for engaging the mounting member with the display structure without securing the mounting member to the display structure; and   a securing member for securing the mounting member against the display structure to thereby restrain movement of the mounting bracket and the display hook relative to the display structure.   
   
   
       13 . The universal mounting bracket according to  claim 12 , wherein the mounting member comprises a plate having an outer periphery configured to receive the complimentary feature of the display hook. 
   
   
       14 . The universal mounting bracket according to  claim 13  wherein a rib is formed on the outer periphery of at least one side of the plate of the mounting member and the complimentary feature of the display hook is a groove formed in the common base of the display hook. 
   
   
       15 . The universal mounting bracket according to  claim 12 , wherein the engaging member comprises a generally U-shaped body having at least one peg depending therefrom that is configured to be received within at least one corresponding hole formed in a pegboard display structure. 
   
   
       16 . The universal mounting bracket according to  claim 15 , wherein the body of the engaging member has at least one arm sized and shaped to be received within a corresponding relief formed in the plate of the mounting member. 
   
   
       17 . The universal mounting bracket according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one arm comprises a pair of arms spaced apart and joined together by a crossbar sized and shaped to support a portion of the securing member thereon. 
   
   
       18 . The universal mounting bracket according to  claim 12 , wherein the securing member comprises a stationary adjustment guide and a movable adjustment element configured for guided movement relative to the adjustment guide in a direction that is generally perpendicular to a plane defined by a plate of the mounting member 
   
   
       19 . The universal mounting bracket according to  claim 18 , wherein the adjustment guide has an internally-threaded portion and the adjustment element has an externally-threaded portion having a slotted head configured to receive a tool for rotating the adjustment element about a lengthwise axis, and wherein a mechanical stop is provided on a forward-facing surface of the plate of the mounting member for engaging a free end of the externally-threaded portion of the adjustment element. 
   
   
       20 . A universal mounting bracket for tightly attaching a display hook having a common base to a pegboard display structure and thereby restraining movement of the display hook relative to the pegboard display structure, the mounting bracket comprising:
 a mounting member having a feature configured to cooperate with a complimentary feature provided on the common base of the display hook to mount the display hook onto the mounting bracket;   an engaging member for engaging the mounting member with the display structure, the engaging member comprising at least one peg configured to be received within a corresponding hole formed in the pegboard display structure; and   a securing member for securing the mounting member tightly against the display structure, the securing member comprising an adjustment guide and an adjustment element configured for guided movement relative to the adjust guide in a direction generally perpendicular to a plane defined by the mounting member.