Security device for merchandise display hooks

A security device for releasably securing merchandise products onto a hook of the type having one or more elongate rods for mounting on a pegboard or other support, the device comprising the combination of a housing having an opening at one end thereof;

• rod-engaging means carried by the housing for seating against and engaging one side of at least one of the rods;
• a latch having a pair of spaced-apart tines sized for slidable movement through the opening toward and away from respective fully-inserted positions within the housing, the latch including a capture bar extending between the tines with the capture bar positioned to seat against an opposite side of said rod(s) and hold the rod(s) against the rod-engaging means when the tines are at said fully-inserted positions in the housing;
• lock means selectively operable for locking the tines within the housing responsive to the tines being at said fully-inserted positions whereby unintended withdrawal of the tines is prevented;
• lock release means for selectively unlocking the tines to enable withdrawal of the latch from the housing and to release the capture bar from the rod(s) whereby the device is released from the hook to permit removal of one or more of the products therefrom, said tines being formed of a resilient flexible material whereby the tines resiliently flex responsive to an applied force;
• the lock means includes finger means positioned in the paths of movement of the tines into the opening for applying a force against and resiliently flexing the tines sideways of their direction of movement, said lock means further including detent means carried by the housing for engaging the tines responsive to said sideways flexing for releasably holding the tines against movement away from their fully-inserted positions.