Timed locking anti-sweep mechanism and display device

A method for preventing the sweeping of merchandise from a display at the point of product selection, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a display bar with items of merchandise disposed thereon;
• b) presenting items of merchandise in a secured state behind a locking protrusion pivotable between a first pivot position and a second pivot position;
• c) allowing removal of a predetermined number of items of merchandise by a customer when the locking protrusion is moving from the first pivot position to the second pivot position;
• d) blocking additional items of merchandise from being removed from said display hook when said predetermined number of items of merchandise pivot the locking protrusion into the second pivot position when said items are moved over a vertex of said locking protrusion;
• e) locking the blocked additional items of merchandise onto the display hook for a predetermined amount of time when the locking protrusion contacts a circuitry activation switch at the second pivot position;
• f) returning the locking protrusion to the first pivot position after the expiration of a predetermined amount of time;
• and
• g) unblocking a predetermined number of items of merchandise from being removed from said display hook when said locking protrusion returns to the first pivot position.