Fixture of an article

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, principally, to a fixture for attaching articles of various types to a wall surface, ceiling, or the like, made of a light and weak board, such as plaster board, aerated light concrete (ALC), rock wool sound absorption board, insulation board, or the like, and more particularly, it relates to a fixture whereby articles of various types can be attached to wooden side walls, external siding boards, mortar walls in a semi-hardened state, or the like, by means of a tool such as a hammer, or the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Conventionally, thumb tacks are commonly used as fixtures for attaching articles to plaster board, for example. A thumb tack has a simple structure and is also very easy to use, since it can simply be pushed in with a finger, but-it provides a weak force in holding an article, and generally can only be used for attaching light-weight articles, such as paper articles, or the like. Consequently, there is a requirement for a fixture which has a simple structure, like a thumb tack but provides strong article holding power.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fixture for articles which provides strong article holding force, and which is light in weight, like a thumb tack, and is reusable and easy-to-use, in other words, a fixture which can be pushed in manually, without using a hammer, or the like, and when detached, can be pulled out manually, without using a tool, the constituent elements thereof being unchanged after detachment.

In order to achieve the aforementioned object, a fixture for articles according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: a pin consisting of a single pivot and a pair of inserting blades, one end of each inserting blade being supported rotatably by means of the pivot and the other ends thereof being formed into sections for inserting into a board; and a washer having a hole through which the pair of inserting blades are passed; wherein the pair of inserting blades of the pin open up mutually when inserted into the board.

A fixture for articles according to this aspect of the invention can be inserted into a soft board, such as plaster board, manually, like a normal thumb tack, without using a hammer. Moreover, it can also be pulled out by a simple manual operation, like a conventional thumb tack, without using a tool, such as a pair of pliers, or the like. It is also possible to use the fixture according to the present invention in a hard board. This fixture displays no deformation after being detached, and it is reusable.

Moreover, if a small hole (for example, a 3.3 mm diameter hole) is provided in an article, then this article can be fixed by inserting the inserting blades through this hole. Moreover, when removing the fixture, since the effect of the pivot hinge causes the pair of inserting blades to follow the same course as the path they follow when inserted, then the inserting blades leave only a clean trace corresponding to their sectional shape, and there is virtually no damage to the surface of the board in the vicinity of the insertion trace.

The fixing strength provided by the fixture is very strong indeed compared to a thumb tack, for example. Moreover, when the fixture is removed from the board, there is no ‘spring back’ at the moment that the fixture leaves the board, and therefore safety is high, which is a major benefit. This fixture can also be applied to a small hole in the article.

A fixture for articles according to a further aspect of the present invention, comprises: a pin consisting of a single pivot and a pair of inserting blades, one end of each inserting blade being supported rotatably by means of the pivot and the other ends thereof being formed into sections for inserting into a board; wherein the pair of inserting blades of the pin open up mutually when inserted into a hole formed in the article.

According to this aspect of the invention, since the fixture is formed from a pin only, it is possible to provide a fixture for articles having a reduced number of constituent elements.

Preferably, the pair of inserting blades are elongated members which are bent in an intermediate position to form an approximate V shape. By forming the inner and the outer edge regions of the inserting sections respectively in a linear shape or a curved shape, it is possible to select the insertion angle and intersection angle of the inserting blades, and therefore the fixture can be made to cope with the hardness of the board and the required holding force.

Preferably the inner and outer edge regions of the aforementioned inserting section are formed respectively in a linear or curved shape. By attaching a cap for holding the pivot to the pin, and forming a knob region on said cap, it is possible to stabilize the attitude of the inserting blades and simplify the operation of pushing in and pulling out the fixture, whilst at the same time making it possible to improve design-related benefits by selecting an appropriate shape, color and material for the fixture.

Still preferably, a cap for holding the pivot is attached to the pin, and a knob region is formed on the cap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing object and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1

is an oblique view of a fixture according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A

is an exploded oblique view of an inserting blade of a fixture according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 2B

is a side view showing a further example of an inserting section of an inserting blade in

FIG. 2A

;

FIG.

3

A-

FIG. 3E

are illustrative diagrams showing the variety of shapes of the inserting blades of a fixture according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4

is an illustrative diagram showing a further shape of a fixture according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5

is an illustrative diagram showing a further shape of a fixture according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6

is an illustrative diagram showing a further shape of a fixture according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7

is an illustrative diagram showing the installation of a fixture according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8

is an illustrative diagram showing the removal of a fixture according to the first-embodiment;

FIG. 9A

is a front sectional view of a fixture according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 9B

is a side sectional view of the fixture in

FIG. 9A

;

FIG. 10A

is a front sectional view showing one modification example of a fixture according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 10B

is a side sectional view of the fixture in

FIG. 10A

;

FIG.

11

A and

FIG. 11B

are illustrative diagrams showing an application example of a fixture according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 12

is an illustrative diagram showing a further application example of a fixture according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 13

is an illustrative diagram showing a further application example of a fixture according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 14

is an illustrative diagram showing a further application example of a fixture according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 15

is an illustrative diagram showing a further application example of a fixture according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 16

is a side view of a fixture according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 17

is an illustrative diagram showing a fixture according to the second embodiment in an intermediate state of insertion;

FIG. 18

is a diagram for describing the action of a fixture according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 19

is an illustrative diagram showing a fixture according to the second embodiment in an intermediate state of detachment;

FIG. 20

is an illustrative diagram showing a fixture according to the second embodiment after detachment;

FIG. 21A

to

FIG. 21C

are illustrative diagrams showing various insertion attitudes of a fixture according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 22

is an illustrative diagram showing the path of the inserting blades when a fixture according to the second embodiment has been inserted;

FIG. 23

is an illustrative diagram showing one modification example of a washer for a fixture according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 24

is an oblique view of a fixture according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25

is an oblique view showing a modification example of a fixture according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 26

is an illustrative diagram showing an application example of a fixture according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 27A

to

FIG. 27C

are sectional diagrams illustrating a variety of application examples of a fixture according to the present invention;

FIG. 28A

to

FIG. 28K

is an illustrative diagram showing a variety of shapes of a washer constituting a fixture, or a hole in an article, according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment;

FIG. 29

is an illustrative diagram showing a first withdrawal test (withdrawal force in the opposite direction to the direction of insertion) for a fixture according to the present invention; and

FIG. 30

is an illustrative diagram showing a second withdrawal test (withdrawal force in a parallel direction to the longitudinal direction of the pivot) for a fixture according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A fixture according to a first embodiment of the present invention is now described with reference to

FIG. 1

to FIG.

15

.

Firstly, a summary of the overall composition of a fixture for articles C is given with reference to FIG.

1

and FIG.

2

A. The fixture for articles C consists of a pin P and a thin ring-shaped washer

5

. The pin P comprises a single pivot

1

and a pair of inserting blades

2

,

3

.

The pivot

1

is made from a metallic material, such as stainless steel, or the like, and it is a rod-shaped member having a circular cross-section and a prescribed length. The inserting blades

2

,

3

are elongated members, which are formed from a metallic material, such as stainless steel, or the like, by punching in a press.

The pair of inserting blades

2

,

3

are elongated members, which are respectively bent at regions

2

b

,

3

b

a short distance from one end

2

a

,

3

a

thereof towards the other end thereof

2

c

,

2

3

, in such a manner that they each have an approximate V shape. The one inserting blade

2

and the other inserting blade

3

have the same shape in a laterally symmetrical fashion.

Pivot holes

2

d

,

3

d

are formed in the one end

2

a

,

3

a

of each inserting blade

2

,

3

. By introducing the pivot

1

into these pivot holes

2

d

,

3

d

, the inserting blades

2

,

3

are held rotatably on the pivot

1

.

The other ends

2

c

,

3

c

of the inserting blades

2

,

3

are formed in such a manner that they decrease in width towards the respective tips thereof, thereby forming a portion for inserting into a board

10

(a structure having a wall surface onto which an article is to be fixed using the fixture C).

The washer

5

is a separate member from the pin. P and a hole

6

is formed in the center thereof, through which the aforementioned inserting blades

2

,

3

pass.

A cap

4

for holding the pivot

1

is attached to the. pin P, and the cap

4

provides a knob section.

As stated above, the inserting blades

2

,

3

illustrated in

FIG. 2A

become narrower in width towards the tips at the aforementioned other ends

2

c

,

3

c

thereof, but the thickness thereof remains the same from the ends

2

a

,

3

a

to the other ends

2

c

,

3

c

(in other words, throughout the length of the respective inserting blades

2

,

3

). However, as shown in

FIG. 2B

, in addition to making the inserting blades

2

,

3

become narrower in width towards the tips at the other ends

2

c

,

3

c

thereof, it is also possible to gradually reduce the thickness thereof. In this way, the force required for insertion is reduced to some extent.

Next, various possible shapes of the inserting blades

2

,

3

are described with reference to

FIG. 3A

to FIG.

6

. The inserting blades

2

,

3

are curved on one side or both sides of the longitudinal cutting end faces thereof, the tips thereof being sharpened. Various shapes for this curvature may be adopted, as illustrated in

FIG. 3A

to FIG.

3

D.

In other words, if the ends

2

c

,

3

c

of inserting blade

2

or inserting blade

3

are formed with angles θ

1

and θ

2

, as shown in

FIG. 3E

, then

the blades shown in

FIG. 3A

have meeting inner edges which are substantially linear in shape, the outer edges thereof being curved (in other words, in the inserting blade

2

, θ

2

≈0 and in the inserting blade

3

, θ

1

≈0);

the blades shown in

FIG. 3B

have meeting inner edges which are approximately linear (having a large radius of curvature), in other words, in the inserting blade

2

, θ

1

>θ

2

, and in the inserting blade

3

, θ

1

<θ

2

, the outer edges thereof having a large curve;

the blades shown in

FIG. 3C

have meeting inner edges having a curve of relatively small curvature radius compared to the outer edges thereof, in other words, in the inserting blade

2

, θ

1

<θ

2

, and in the inserting blade

3

, θ

1

>θ

2

; and

the blades shown in

FIG. 3D

have respective outer edges which are approximately linear in shape, the inner edges thereof having a curve, in other words, in inserting blade

2

, θ

1

≈0, and in inserting blade

3

, θ

2

≈0.

The various modifications of the blades illustrated in

FIG. 3A

to

FIG. 3D

are designed in such a manner that the tips thereof enter smoothly when the blades

2

,

3

are inserted into the board

10

, but for this purpose, it is also possible to adopt a composition whereby the tips of the blades

2

,

3

are positioned eccentrically towards the open side from the center line t

2

across the width of the inserting blade

2

,

3

, by forming the edges with curves of the same radius of curvature, but different lengths.

As a further modification of the ends

2

c

,

3

c

of the inserting blades

2

,

3

, it is possible to form the edges with linear step sections, as illustrated in

FIG. 5

, instead of curved sections.

Whatever shape is adopted for the ends

2

c

,

3

c

(inserting section) of the inserting blades

2

,

3

, desirably, they should be formed in such a manner that the respective tip portions thereof are opened as far as possible, when the inserting blades

2

,

3

are completely inserted, in other words, when the upper portion of the outer edges of the inserting blades

2

,

3

has abutted against the edge of the hole

6

in the washer

5

, as illustrated in

FIG. 8

or in FIG.

12

-FIG.

14

.

As illustrated in

FIG. 6

, as a further embodiment of the inserting blades

2

,

3

, it is also possible to cause the inserting blades

2

,

3

to open up by means of the shape of the ends

2

c

,

2

3

, without forming bend sections

2

b

,

3

b.

The pivot

1

is inserted into the pivot holes

2

d

,

3

d

formed in the inserting blades

2

,

3

, and the inner diameter of the pivot holes

2

d

,

3

d

is formed to approximately the same dimension as the outer diameter of the pivot

1

, thereby causing the inserting blades

2

,

3

to be coupled rotatably with respect to the pivot

1

. In other words, two inserting blades

2

,

3

are placed together in a laterally symmetrical fashion, the pivot holes

2

d

,

3

d

thereof are aligned and superposed, and a pin forming the pivot

1

is passed therethrough. The two inserting blades

2

,

3

can be rotated about this pivot

1

.

Next, the operation of attaching and detaching a fixture C is described with reference to FIG.

7

and FIG.

8

.

A cap

4

is attached to the ends

2

a

,

3

a

of the inserting blades

2

,

3

. As illustrated in

FIG. 1

or

FIG. 7

, the cap

4

is hat-shaped, the pivot

1

being positioned in an internal cavity section of the cap

4

and supported at both ends thereof.

As illustrated in FIG.

7

and

FIG. 8

, the upper wall of the cavity section has a shape corresponding to the upper portion of the inserting blades

2

,

3

from the ends

2

a

,

3

a

to the bend sections

2

b

,

3

b

thereof, whereby the opening width W of the front tips of the inserting blades

2

,

3

is maintained at a constant dimension. In other words, it serves as a ‘stopper’ which limits the minimum value of the opening width W prior to insertion of the inserting blades

2

,

3

. If the upper circumferences of the ends

2

a

,

3

a

make contact with the upper wall of the cavity section, contact resistance is generated and the inserting blades

2

,

3

become difficult to rotate, and therefore it is desirable if they do not make contact in this manner.

Moreover, in the embodiments illustrated in

FIG. 9A

to

FIG. 10B

, the inner wall section to the front and rear of the cavity section is formed in a shape corresponding to the shoulder portions of the bend sections

2

b

,

3

b

of the inserting blades

2

,

3

, thereby maintaining the opening width W of the front tips of the inserting blades

2

,

3

at a uniform dimension.

Furthermore, the side wall regions of the aforementioned cavity section are narrow in width, and as illustrated in

FIG. 9A

to

FIG. 10B

, they form a gap whereby the two thin plate-shaped inserting blades

2

,

3

are just able to rotate in a superposed state. In other words, the inserting blades

2

,

3

are held by the side wall regions of the cavity section of the cap

4

. The upper portion of the cap

4

serves as an area on which a finger F is put when the fixture is inserted, and the side circumference serves as a gripping section.

A washer

5

is used as an independent member from the pin P, as illustrated in FIG.

1

and FIG.

7

. The washer

5

is formed by injection molding of a plastic material having excellent mechanical strength, such as polycarbonate resin, or formed by punching out thin sheet of a metallic material, such as stainless steel, using a press.

The washer

5

is round and has a hole

6

in the center thereof for inserting the aforementioned inserting blades

2

,

3

. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the hole

6

is set to a dimension whereby the outer edges of the inserting blades

2

,

3

below the bend sections abut with the edge of the hole

6

, when the inserting blades

2

,

3

of the fixture C are inserted sufficiently into the board

10

, as illustrated in

FIG. 8

, for example.

The actual size of a fixture C according to the first embodiment having the foregoing composition will now be described.

As shown in

FIG. 2A

, let t

1

be the length of the center line of the inserting blade

3

from the pivot hole

3

d

(center of the hole) of the inserting blade

3

to the bend section

3

b

,

3

b

thereof, that is, the length of the central line parallel to the outer edge of the inserting blade

3

; t

2

be the length from the bend section

3

b

to the front tip (or, to the vicinity of the front tip in cases where the front tip is located eccentrically from the center line parallel to the outer edge), that is, the linear distance parallel to the outer edge; t

3

be the thickness; and t

4

be the width; then t

1

is 2.8 mm, t

2

is 20 mm, t

3

is 0.7 mm and t

4

is 1.3 mm (narrower section) to 1.5 mm (wider section), and the angle of bend of the bend sections

2

b

,

3

b

(namely, the angle between t

1

and t

2

) is 120 degrees. Furthermore, the diameter of the pivot hole

3

d

is 1.1 mm, the diameter of the pivot

1

is 1.0 mm, and the length thereof is 5 mm (the same dimensions also apply to inserting blade

2

).

Furthermore, the thickness of the washer

5

is 0.5 mm, the diameter thereof is 8 mm, and the diameter of the hole

6

is 3.3 mm. The cap

4

depends on the size of the inserting blades

2

,

3

, and the outer diameter thereof is 8 mm whilst the height thereof is 5.5 mm.

The respective dimensions of the various constituent elements are mutually related and should be designed respectively according to the mode of use.

Next, a method of using the fixture C for an article will be described.

When a surface sheet (article)

11

a

is to be fixed to a board

10

using a fixture C, as illustrated in FIG.

1

and

FIG. 7

, then the washer

5

is positioned at the fixing location, the tips of the inserting blades

2

,

3

are placed inside the hole

6

of the washer

5

, and the fixture C is pushed perpendicularly (in the direction a in

FIG. 7

) into the board

10

, using a finger F.

By means of this pressing action, the fixture C can be inserted smoothly into the board

10

, with little resistance, and without receiving significant reactive force in. the lateral direction of the board cross-section, whilst the left and right-hand curves of the inserting blades

2

,

3

guide the direction of travel of the front tips thereof.

In this case, the intersection angle θ of the inserting blades

2

,

3

is set by adjusting the front end angles θ

1

, θ

2

formed by the right and left-hand curves of the inserting blades

2

,

3

. When the aforementioned inserting action is performed, the inserting blades

2

,

3

pass through the hole

6

of the washer

5

and intersect with each other in the region thereof. Since this intersection region is the region of narrowest width, the hole formed in the surface sheet

11

a

can be reduced in size. When the two mutually intersecting inserting blades

2

,

3

abut against and engage with the edge of the hole

6

in the washer

5

, a state is assumed wherein the inserting blades

2

,

3

fix the washer

5

and surface sheet

11

a

in position.

In addition to the examples shown in FIG.

7

and

FIG. 8

, if the cap

4

is constituted by two members, namely, a side face section

4

a

having a cylindrical outer shape, and a lid section

4

b

having a flat round shape in plan view, as illustrated in FIG.

9

A and

FIG. 9B

, the two ends of the pivot

1

being held between these two members, then the cap

4

can be installed readily on the pin P section.

Furthermore, if the cap

4

is constituted by a single cap-shaped member, as illustrated in FIG.

10

A and

FIG. 10B

, the two ends of the pivot

1

being held by a pivot hole

4

c

formed in the cap

4

, then the cap

4

has a simple structure and the inserting blades

2

,

3

can be attached readily to cap

4

.

Moreover, in addition to the embodiment illustrated in

FIG. 1

, the washer

5

may be rectangular two-hole washer

5

a

, as illustrated in

FIG. 11A

, wherein two sets of inserting blades

2

,

3

are inserted into the two-hole washer

5

a

to fix the two-hole washer

5

a

, and then a hanging tool

11

c

is coupled or fixed to the two-hole washer

5

a

, as illustrated in FIG.

11

B.

It is possible to select a variety of other shapes for the washer

5

, depending on the shape of the article

11

. For example, as illustrated in

FIG. 12

, the washer

5

can be designed so that it is composed of a larger diameter section

5

f

and a smaller diameter section

5

g

capable of fitting into a hole in the article

11

, in view of its outer shape, and it has a hole

6

formed in a tapered shape having an angle approximately matching the insertion direction of the inserting blades

2

,

3

. With this configuration, the position of the washer

5

and the attitude of the inserting blades

2

,

3

can be stabilized while coping with various sizes of a hole in the article

11

.

Furthermore, as shown in

FIG. 13

, the washer

5

may simply be formed with an outer shape constituting a large diameter section

5

f

and a small diameter section

5

g

capable of fitting into a hole in the article

11

.

Furthermore, as illustrated in

FIG. 14

, the washer

5

to be fitted into the hole in an article

11

can be designed so that it has a height equal to the thickness of the article

11

and also has an inclined guide section for the inserting blades

2

,

3

having an outer shape similar to the inner shape of a hole provided in the article

11

.

Similarly to the other examples, a material for the washer

5

may be either steel or hardened synthetic resin. Such a washer

5

is suitable in cases where the article

11

is soft and there is a risk that the article

11

may deform in the region of the hole when it is affixed to the board

10

by the fixture C.

As illustrated in

FIG. 15

, if the article

11

is thick and the function of the washer

5

can be provided by forming a hole in the article

11

, then the washer

5

becomes unnecessary. The embodiment in

FIG. 15

will be described later as a third embodiment.

The fixture C according to the first embodiment is beneficial in that it has a simple structure, it can be attached and detached readily, without requiring a tool, it is reusable, and it does not generate any ‘spring back’, or rebounding to the original shape, when detached.

A fixture according to a second embodiment of the present invention is now described with reference to

FIG. 16

to FIG.

23

.

The characteristic feature of the present embodiment in contrast to the first embodiment is that it has no cap

4

, in other words, it consists only of a pivot

1

and inserting blades

2

,

3

supported on this pivot

1

. When using this fixture C, in a state where a surface sheet (article to be fixed by the fixture C)

11

a

has been placed against a board

10

and a washer

5

has been placed on the fixture C, as illustrated in

FIG. 16

, the sides of the ends

2

a

,

3

a

of the inserting blades

2

,

3

are pressed directly in the α direction, until the portions of the inserting blades

2

,

3

below bend sections

2

b

,

3

b

abut against the inner circumference of the hole

6

in the washer

5

. In this state, the two inserting blades

2

,

3

are embedded firmly in the board

10

.

FIG. 17

illustrates an intermediate state during insertion of the fixture C. The fixture C is inserted into the board

10

by pressing in the a direction with a finger F.

FIG. 18

shows a state where insertion has been completed, the inserting blades

2

,

3

being inserted until the portions thereof below the bend sections

2

b

,

3

b

abut against the inner circumference of the hole

6

in the washer

5

.

FIG. 19

shows a state where the fixture C is being removed. The fixture C can be removed simply by pulling in the a direction manually, leaving the insertion traces (cavities)

10

a

,

10

a

.

FIG. 20

shows a state after the pin P has been removed completely from the board

10

.

When the aforementioned fixture C is inserted into the board

10

, the attitude of the inserting blades

2

,

3

can be selected variously, but it is suitable to arrange the ends

2

c

,

3

c

of the inserting blades

2

,

3

mutually apart, as illustrated in

FIG. 21A

, in case where the board is relatively hard. Moreover, those ends

2

c

,

3

c

may be mutually aligned as shown in

FIG. 21B

, or it is suitable to arrange those ends

2

c

,

3

c

intersecting each other, as shown in

FIG. 21C

, in case where the board is relatively soft.

The insertion path of the inserting blades

2

,

3

is now described. As the pivot hole

4

c

moves down perpendicularly towards the board

10

, as illustrated in

FIG. 22

, inserting blade

2

is guided by the washer

5

and rotates slightly as it becomes embedded in the board

10

. In this case, the smaller the cavity created by the insertion path when the fixture C is completely inserted, the lower the resistance to insertion (the same applies to insertion blade

3

).

FIG. 23

shows a modification of the second embodiment, wherein a cushion plate

5

e

made from an elastic material is interposed between the washer

5

and the article

11

. By means of this cushion plate

5

e

, not only is the article

11

supported and fixed elastically, but any vibrations in the board

10

and/or the article

11

are absorbed and hence resonance effects can be prevented and accidental detachment of the fixture C can be further prevented.

The fixture according to a third embodiment of the present invention is now described with reference to

FIG. 24

to FIG.

26

.

The fixture C according to the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that no washer

5

is provided. In other words, the fixture C consists of a pin P only. However, articles

11

for which the fixture C according to the present embodiment can be applied are limited to ones having a hole therein which can also perform the function of the hole of the washer

5

.

More specifically, as illustrated in

FIG. 24

, a hole

11

d

is provided at the upper end of the hanging tool

11

c

and is caused to perform the function of the washer

5

, with the result that the washer

5

is not required. The lower portion of the hanging tool

11

c

is formed in a curved shape.

FIG. 25

shows a further example wherein a washer

5

is not required. As illustrated in the figure, a long rectangular hole

11

d

is provided in the upper end portion of a hanging tool

11

c

which is long in the vertical direction. The fixture C for an article is inserted manually into this hole

11

d

. The operation for retracting the fixture C is the same as in the case of the first embodiment and second embodiment described above.

FIG. 26

shows yet a further example wherein a washer

5

is not required. In this case, the article

11

is thick and if the inserting blades

2

,

3

cannot be opened sufficiently, the insertion hole in the article

11

should be widened in a tapering fashion.

The actual dimensions of the fixture C (lengths, thickness, angles, and the like) according to the second embodiment and third embodiment are essentially the same as those for the first embodiment.

The first to third embodiments of the present invention were described above, and here an example of a specific application of the fixture C according to the first embodiment is described with reference to

FIG. 27A

to FIG.

27

C.

FIG. 27A

shows the case where a top plate

11

e

, such as a ceiling board, is attached perpendicularly to a vertical board

10

, such as a residence wall, by fixing an L-shaped bracket

5

c

supporting the ceiling board lie to the top plate lie and the board

10

by means of fixtures C, C. In this case, by inserting the inserting blades

2

,

3

in such a manner that they cross and open in the horizontal direction, it is possible to support the weight of the ceiling board

11

e

across the full width of the two inserting blades

2

,

3

, thereby providing significant supporting force. This feature applies similarly to the application example in

FIG. 27C

, described hereinafter. In this application example, the L-shaped bracket

5

c

is held securely by fixtures C, C, thereby making it possible to support the ceiling board

11

e.

FIG. 27B

shows a case where an installation frame

11

f

for lighting instrument (as an article to be fixed by fixture C), such as a fluorescent lamp, is attached to the lower face of a horizontal board

10

, such as a ceiling board. Significant holding force can be obtained simply by inserting fixtures C, C through holes provided in the installation frame

11

f

itself, thereby making it possible to attach the installation frame (article)

11

f

to the board

10

in a secure fashion.

FIG. 27C

shows a case where an installation frame

11

g

for an internal air conditioning unit is attached to a vertical board

10

, such as a residence wall, using a coupling bracket

5

d

. The coupling bracket

5

d

is formed with coupling edge sections in the upper and lower edges thereof, along with holes for introducing inserting blades

2

,

3

. The installation frame

11

g

is coupled to the aforementioned coupling edge sections.

In the respective embodiments described above, the shape of the hole

6

of the washer

5

in plan view is round, as illustrated in

FIG. 28A

, or rectangular, as illustrated in

FIG. 28C

, but in addition to these shapes, the hole

6

may be of various shapes, such as a triangular shape, as illustrated in

FIG. 28B

, a square shape (FIG.

28

D), a polygonal shape (

FIG. 28E

to FIG.

28

H), or a combination of rectangular shapes (

FIGS. 28I

to

28

K). The shapes illustrated in

FIG. 28A

to

FIG. 28K

may also be adopted for the shape of a hole in the article

11

.

Moreover, in a circumstance where a board

10

and/or an article

11

to be fixed is subjected to repeated vibrations, it is desirable that a washer

5

or the vicinity of the hole of the article

11

is made of an elastic material, thus absorbing the vibrations and preventing gradual detachment of the pin P. On the other hand, it is desirable that the pivot

1

is made of material having a little elasticity and constituted so as not to show an appreciable elasticity.

Moreover, in the description and the drawings relating to the respective foregoing embodiments, the ends

2

c

,

3

c

of the inserting blades

2

,

3

are illustrated as completely going through the board, but these ends

2

c

,

3

c

do not necessarily have to go through the board

10

completely. Rather, if the length of the inserting blades

2

,

3

is set to a dimension whereby they remain inside a board (for example, a light aerated concrete board)

10

when inserted, then only a small force is required for inserting the blades

2

,

3

, and hence ease-of-use is improved, although the durability is lowered (by approximately 40%).

For a board

10

which is relatively thick by nature, such as aerated light concrete board, the inserting blades

2

,

3

remain inside the board

10

. But in case where the present invention is applied to relatively thin plaster board, the inserting blades

2

,

3

can be set to a relatively short length, corresponding to the thickness of the plaster board.

FIG. 29

illustrates the results of a first withdrawal test for an article

11

fixed by a fixture C according to the second embodiment. In this first withdrawal test, the amount of pulling force required in the opposite direction to the direction in which the fixture C is inserted is measured. Accordingly, when a load was applied in the direction of the arrow to an article

11

fixed to a 9 mm-thick plaster board (board)

10

, then a maximum durability of 10.3 kg was recorded. The durability for a standard thumb tack in the same test was 1 kg.

Number	Name	Date	Kind
919631	Page	Apr 1909	A
2201138	Hyde	May 1940	A
4637194	Knowles	Jan 1987	A
4988249	Kardefeldt et al.	Jan 1991	A
5423857	Rosenman et al.	Jun 1995	A
6086606	Knodel et al.	Jul 2000	A

Number	Date	Country
62-78181	May 1987	JP
62-197978	Dec 1987	JP
63-10978	Jan 1988	JP
63-10979	Jan 1988	JP
63-59579	Apr 1988	JP
63-176547	Jul 1988	JP
02017207	Jan 1990	JP
02221708	Sep 1990	JP
09317728	Dec 1997	JP

Fixture of an article

Information

Patent Number

Date Filed

Date Issued

Inventors

Original Assignees

Examiners

Agents

CPC

US Classifications

Field of Search

US

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (1)

US Referenced Citations (6)

Foreign Referenced Citations (9)