JP2008116046A - Suction cup mounting base for display article - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a suction cup mounting base for a display article which is easily removable and does not explicitly provoke a destroyer and a thief. <P>SOLUTION: The suction cup mounting base includes a suction cup for mounting the display article or the other article on a surface. The suction cup is provided with a shell to fit over the outer face of the suction cup and an actuating means for pulling in the suction cup and enhancing a suction force in the suction cup. The suction cup mounting base is constituted so that a release tab of the suction cup is reversibly concealed when the actuating means is operated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  Specifically, the present invention is applicable to (but not necessarily exclusively for) a display product for a display pole for mounting a flag pole on a window or other smooth non-porous surface. The table and its improvements.

  The use of suction cups / suction fixtures to attach flagpoles to glass has a long history dating back over most of the century, but the suction cup device holds any significant weight or any significant length. Combining that staying in place for some time has not been assured until recently, and that it remains vulnerable to tampering by vandals or thieves when used on the exterior of store windows For practical reasons, it was not widely deployed commercially.

  On the other hand, in the last decade or so, the quality of adsorption provided by the suction cup device has improved dramatically, and the use of suction cups for mounting platforms has varied in a wide range including, for example, towel racks and kitchenware cupboard installations. Has begun to spread in various applications. Today's suction cup devices generally include a suction cup or suction tool with a frame or shell on its outer surface (the surface furthest from the window or other mounting surface). An actuating member passes through the frame or shell, and this actuating member engages the rear surface of the suction cup inside the outer frame or shell. The periphery or periphery of the suction cup is held in place with respect to the window surface by a frame or shell, and the movement of the actuator relative to the frame or shell pulls the central part of the suction cup away from the adhesion surface, During this time, it works to create a negative pressure space necessary to hold the suction disk in place.

  In general, suction cup devices in the art have suction cups that are circular in plan, which are also circular and have a frame or shell that is concentric with and slightly larger in diameter. Examples of this prior art can be found in US Pat. In the former UK patent application, the adsorption device has a rotating activation member. The frame or shell of the device is accommodated in the outer shell, and the outer shell is screwed with a bolt fastened to the inner surface of the suction disk. Therefore, when the outer shell rotates in the first direction, the bolt is moved to the outer shell. It is pushed up inward, which raises the central part of the suction disk and generates negative pressure.

In Patent Document 2, the activation member is a common alternative type and includes a lever arm that tilts toward the pedestal and pulls the shaft on the suction cup away from the window surface. In all cases, device removal is activated by reversing the activation movement. In many devices, for example, in the device of U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,831, a suction tab is provided on the suction cup to assist frequent removal of the device. However, the provision of release tabs exacerbates security issues. This is because vandals and thieves can more easily remove the device than without providing a release tab. Furthermore, most modern suction cup devices have been completely omitted from having a release tab.
UK patent application 2403505 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-083919 US Pat. No. 5,087,005

  It is an object of the present invention to address this problem of the prior art and to provide a suction cup mount for a display product that can be easily removed and that does not overwhelm vandals and thieves.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a suction disk mounting base including a suction disk for a display product or other product, the shell being fitted so as to cover the outer surface of the suction disk. In a suction cup mounting base further comprising an actuating means for pulling in the suction cup during use to enhance the suction force in the suction cup, the release tab of the suction cup is reversibly during operation of the activation means. The suction disk mounting base is characterized in that the apparatus is configured to be hidden. This unique arrangement prevents vandals and thieves from sticking to removing the device.

  Specifically, during use, the release tab is preferably hidden by the shell when the shell moves from the first inoperable position to the second operational position. Preferably, the actuating means comprises a rotary actuating means, whereby rotation with respect to the suction plate produces the required adsorption.

  The shell is preferably attached to the suction disk and rotates relative to the suction disk so that the operating means can move to its operating state during such rotation. The shell has a non-uniform shape, the release tab of the suction cup is exposed in the initial position of rotating with respect to the suction cup, and when the shell moves to the second operating position, the expansion or extension of the shell is the release tab It is preferable to hide.

  The actuating means includes a boss that is integrally formed or assembled with the suction cup, the boss forming at least a portion of a helical screw or a cam surface around its outer periphery, over the portion of the shell. Engage with at least some corresponding helical screw or cooperating cam surface associated with or associated with the shell so that the central area of the suction cup expands as the shell rotates relative to the suction cup and boss It is preferable that an adsorption force is generated. The boss is in the form of a cylindrical wall, not a bolt, so the screw or cam surface is short and its rotation corresponds to less than one full revolution of the shell, preferably one third or one quarter It is preferable to move completely from the first inoperable position to its second operating position.

  The actuating means is at or substantially in the operating rotational position (fully locked position) with a cam surface and / or at least a partial thread that urges the shell towards the board as the shell rotates relative to the board. It is advantageous to have a notch or other detent characteristic on the cam surface or at least a partial thread in position to provide an initial resistance to cancellation. This will help further prevent thieves or vandals.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described more specifically by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  As shown in the figures, the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a window or other glazed or substantially smooth, rigid, rigid, substantially clean, non-contaminating base for the flag pole that receives the base end of the flagpole. Configured to attach a flag to the hole surface.

  The device is assembled from five main parts. First, the apparatus includes a suction disk 1 molded from PVC or other suitable material, which has a disk shape, with an arcuate central region 2 on its lower surface and an upper surface on its upper surface. And an annular peripheral wall 3. From the periphery of the suction disk 1, the release tab 4 protrudes as an ear piece at an opposing point. The release tab 4 is formed as an extension of the suction cup 1, and when attached to the window, is in a position opposite to each other for the purpose of one pointing up in the substantially vertical direction and the other pointing down.

  The second component of the device includes a threaded boss 5 formed as a molded part of acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA) or other suitable rigid and robust material, which is formed of the suction cup 1. During construction, these two are assembled together, preferably embedded in the upper / outer surface of the suction cup 1. The threaded boss 5 has a base plate part 5a, followed by an annular array of apertures 6 at its outer periphery, through which the PVC material of the suction cup 1 is dispersed and adsorbed with the bosses 5. Since the board 1 can be completely engaged with each other, the boss is not only fixed to the suction board 1 in place but also firmly fixed from the rotation with respect to the suction board 1.

  The threaded boss part 5 has an upright cylindrical wall 7 facing outwardly from the suction cup 1, which has a male thread 8 around its outer peripheral surface, Formed from three short but deep thread flange areas. A plurality of splines 9 are provided on the inner peripheral surface / hole of the cylindrical wall 7, and these splines 9 extend in the longitudinal direction, that is, substantially perpendicularly from the suction cup 1.

  The third component of the device includes a clamping ring 10, which is also preferably molded from ASA, to provide the suction cup 1 with a low friction force-transmission interface for the rotating outer part of the device. Useful. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the clamping ring 10 has a generally cylindrical portion with a frustoconical outer peripheral surface, a wide base portion 10a, and a bearing step surface for a rotatable outer part. provide.

  The rotatable outer part includes a case / cover part or shell 11, which is generally oval in shape when viewed in plan, but is not as asymmetric as an egg, as shown in the front view (see FIG. 3). As can be seen, it is rather flattened in the shape of a circle, ie similar to an oblate ball. The shell 11 substantially envelops the inherent suction cup 1 and the clamping ring 10, and the shell 11 is rotated and positioned as shown in the front view. When aligned with the axis between the release tabs 4 projecting to the periphery, the shell 11 is such that it covers the release tab 4 as a whole with its longest dimension. As can be seen in the front view, the shortest dimensions of the shells 11 are such that the release tabs 4 protrude beyond the shell 11 when the shells 11 are rotated and positioned so that the shortest dimension is aligned with the axis between the release tabs 4. The user can access and remove the device from the surface to which the shell is bonded.

  The shell 11 is preferably also molded from ASA and has a circular recessed central region 11a, which incorporates a cylindrical wall 12 that surrounds its central axis. The cylindrical wall 12 has an internal hole that is sized to rest on the upright cylindrical wall 7 of the externally threaded boss 5, and a female thread configuration 13 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall 12 of the shell. It is done.

  A set of three equally spaced ribs 14 radiate outwardly from the cylindrical wall 12 across a gap between the outer diameter of the cylindrical wall 12 and the diameter of the circular recess 11a of the shell 11. . Each of these ribs 14 has three functions. Its function is to act as a cam follower when the shell 11 rotates during use, to function as a reinforcing rib, and to provide a surface that moves together with the end stop 24 so that the shell 11 When the operating rotational position is reached, the shell can be reliably aligned. For added strength and completeness, each of the ribs 14 has a cross shape when viewed in plan (ie, viewed from the front of the device), resulting in an enhanced structure.

  As seen from the side profile of the shell 11 shown in FIG. 9, the peripheral edge 15 of the concave portion 11a of the shell is slightly concave. As can be seen at the upper or lower end of the shell, the peripheral edge 15 is slightly convex. This relief on the peripheral edge 15 of the shell recess allows the profile to be adapted to the base 16 of the flag mounting socket / turret 17 which is a rotating part.

  A pair of soft pad legs 18 are provided on the rear / inner surface of the shell 11 to protect it from surface scratches applied to the device during use. A further important structural characteristic on the lower / rear surface of the shell 11 is a ring of columnar projections 19 projecting rearward from the rear / lower surface of the cylindrical wall 12 of the shell 11, these projections being inside the clamping ring 10. And is held by the tightening ring 10 to help firmly press the tightening ring against the suction cup 1 during use. The outer diameter of the ring of the cylindrical protrusion 19 matches the inner diameter of the clamping ring 10 and at the same time the outer diameter of the clamping ring 10 matches the inner diameter of the inner peripheral edge 3 of the suction cup 1 at its widest point. It is ensured that the peripheral edge of the suction disk 1 is pressed firmly against the mounting surface.

  The flag mounting socket / turret 17 is also preferably an ASA molded product with a base 16 which is integrally assembled with a threaded boss 5 which is integrated with the suction cup 1. Is assembled. A cylindrical turret / socket projection 20 protrudes from the outer surface of the turret base portion 16, and the base of the flag pole fits into the turret / socket projection during use. As can be seen, the cylindrical turret / socket arrangement 17 is tilted so that in use, it is tilted outward and tilted outward rather than at a right angle from the device, so that the flag is tilted upward to support. Optimize flag support.

  The turret base portion 16 is contoured on the outer surface, and when the shell 11 is in its operating rotational position, the contour of the shell 11 is such that the outer contour of the turret base portion 16 remains flush with the outer contour of the shell 11. Fits.

  Several important structural and functional characteristics are provided on the bottom surface of the turret base portion 16. First, there is a generally cylindrical wall 21 extending inward / rearward, which wall has a stepped rim / end face 22, which is divided into three separate equiangularly spaced edges. The rising cam surfaces 21a, 21b, 21c cooperate with the outer surface of the rib 14 on the shell 11 during use. A small score / notch 23 is provided at the end of each ascending cam section 22a, 22b, 22c that extends farthest, ie closest to the suction cup 1, to provide space for the corresponding rib 14 and end stop 24. . When the shell 11 is rotated to its in-use position, the stop surface of the rib 14 contacts the end stopper 24.

  As described above, the turret base portion 16 is integrally assembled with the boss 5 in which the male screw of the suction disk 1 is cut. Arbitrary relative rotation between the turret base portion 16 and the boss 5 is prevented by the spline 25 provided on the inner cylindrical wall 26 protruding rearward from the rear surface of the turret base portion 16. These splines 25 mesh with the inner peripheral surface / hole splines 9 of the cylindrical wall 7 of the boss. Furthermore, since the turret base 16 is firmly fixed in the threaded boss 5, these two do not leave in use.

  The sequence of installation / operation of the device is very simple, all that is required is that the user lifts the device to the surface on which the device is to be mounted and presses the suction cup 1 of the device against the surface while the device is Correctly oriented to the upwardly angled turret projection 20 and that the device corresponds to the release tab 4 of the suction cup 1 located at the upper and lower edges of the device, and two release tabs It is only to ensure that the line between 4 is oriented substantially vertically. Initially, the shell 11 is in its rotational position with respect to the non-rotating part of the device (turret socket part 17, externally threaded boss 5, suction cup 1), where the shell 11 is in a free position (here Shown as being substantially transverse to the axis between the tabs 4). The next stage of the installation procedure is simply to continue to press the device against the mounting surface, while turning the shell 11 in the direction of rotation (clockwise here) by a quarter turn to turn the shell 11 in its operating state. And aligning the long axis of the shell 11 with the axis between the tabs 4, ie, making it substantially vertical. In this operating state, the tab 4 is completely hidden under the shell 11 (as shown in FIG. 2), and the suction disk 1 is firmly bonded to the mounting surface.

  While the shell 11 is swiveled around the turret base portion 16, the cam surfaces 22a, 22b, 22c are gradually pushed down more firmly onto the rib 14 of the shell to reach the end stop 24, and the rib 14 has an end notch 23. Get inside. As a result, the shell 11 is pressed down more firmly against the suction disk 1, and the clamping ring 10 is pressed firmly against the peripheral wall 3 of the suction disk 1. At the same time, when the male thread 8 of the boss 5 that has been male threaded further engages with the female thread 13 of the shell 11, the boss 5 is removed from the suction cup 1 by simultaneously pressing the shell 11 toward the boss 5 by the cam action described above. Pulling in the direction, thereby increasing the required suction force. To remove the device, the initial resistance from the notch 23 is overcome by turning the shell 11 in the opposite direction with sufficient force. Once the shell 11 is returned to the initial position, the tab 4 is pulled and the device is peeled off freely.

  As will be understood from the foregoing description, the present invention provides that the suction pole mounting device for flag poles or other display goods is securely installed in place, so that it does not leave over or require a long period of operation. Extremely concise and effective to ensure that it can be easily removed only frequently, as well as preventing destructors and thieves from removing the device and not removing it without first rotating the shell 11 It is an arrangement.

1 is an overall assembly view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with components of the apparatus including a flag pole mount disassembled from each other. FIG. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the device in the assembly operation state. FIG. 6 is a right side view of the non-rotating parts of the device assembled together integrally (rotating shell held confined between the non-rotating parts is omitted for clarity). FIG. 2 is a pair of front views of a shell or cover part of the device. It is a front view of a pair of front and rear of the turret (flag pole socket) part of the apparatus. It is a front view of a pair of front and rear of the threaded boss part of the apparatus. It is a front view of a pair of front and rear of the tightening ring component of the apparatus. It is a front view of a pair of front and rear of the suction disk component of the apparatus. FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the assembled apparatus in its initial state for attaching to a surface such as a window glass to activate the suction disk, with the arrows indicating the direction of rotation of the shell / cover component relative to the suction disk. A pair of front and side views of the apparatus of FIG. 8 is shown in its operating state.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Suction board 2 Central area | region 3 Peripheral wall 4 Release tab 5 Boss 5a Base plate part 6 Aperture 7 Cylindrical wall 8 Male thread 9 Spline 10 Tightening ring 11 Shell 11a Depression center area 12 Cylindrical wall 13 Female thread 14 Rib 15 Perimeter 16 Base Part 17 turret 18 pad leg 19 columnar protrusion 20 protrusion 21 wall 22 end face 23 notch 24 end stopper 25 spline 26 inner cylindrical wall

Claims (9)

A suction disk mounting base including a suction disk for mounting a display product or other product on the surface, the suction disk having a shell that is fitted so as to cover an outer surface thereof, and pulling the suction disk In the suction cup mounting base further comprising an operating means for increasing the suction force in the suction cup, the suction cup mounting base is configured to reversibly hide the release tab of the suction cup when the operating means is operated. A suction disk mounting base characterized by being configured. 2. The suction cup according to claim 1, wherein when the shell moves from the first inoperable position to the second operating position, the release tab is hidden by the shell during use. Mounting base. 3. The suction cup mounting base according to claim 1, wherein the operating means includes a rotary type operating means, whereby rotation with respect to the suction board causes a required suction. 4. The suction disk mounting base according to claim 3, wherein the shell is attached to the suction disk and rotates with respect to the suction disk, and the operating means can move to the operating state during such rotation. Adsorption board mounting base. 5. The suction disk mounting base according to claim 3, wherein the shell has a non-uniform shape, and the release tab of the suction disk is exposed at an initial position rotating with respect to the suction disk, and the shell is The suction cup mounting base according to claim 1, wherein the expansion portion or the expansion portion of the shell hides the release tab when moved to the second operation position. 6. The suction disk mounting base according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the operating means includes a boss formed or assembled integrally with the suction disk, and the boss has a spiral shape around an outer periphery thereof. Forming at least a portion of a screw or a cam surface and engaging a corresponding at least a portion of a helical screw or cooperating cam surface on or associated with the portion of the shell; Therefore, when the shell rotates with respect to the suction plate and the boss, the central region of the suction plate expands to generate a suction force. 7. The suction cup mount according to claim 6, wherein the boss is in the form of a cylindrical wall, so that the screw or cam surface is short and rotates less than one full revolution of the shell, preferably one third. Alternatively, the suction cup mounting base moves completely from the first inoperable position to the second operating position in response to a quarter rotation. The suction disk mounting base according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the actuating means includes a cam surface that biases the shell toward the board and / or the shell when the shell rotates relative to the board. Having at least a partial thread and a notch or other detent characteristic on the cam surface or at least a partial thread at or near the operating rotational position (fully locked position) Suction cup mount that provides initial resistance. 9. The suction disk mounting base according to claim 1, wherein the shell is confined and held in the suction disk, but is rotatable with respect to the suction disk. Mounting base.