Article hanging system, slidable wire holder, detachable wire holder, wire hook and wire gripper

An article hanging system (1) capable of easily changing an exhibit position and an exhibit height of an article such as a goods exhibited in a shop, a hanger and a display shelf comprises a ceiling rail assembly (10), a wire holder (50) slidably retained to the ceiling rail assembly (10), a wire (100) hanging down from the wire holder (50), a gripper (120) fixably attachable at a desired position along the wire (100), a wire holder (70) attached to a lower end of the wire (100) and a floor rail assembly (40) to which the wire holder (70) is slidably retained. Each of the rail assemblies (10), (40) comprises longitudinal rails (21), (11Y) extending in a longitudinal direction (the Y-direction) and lateral rails (11), (11X) slidable with respect to the longitudinal rail as being spanned between the longitudinal rails. Each of the wire holders (50), (70) are slidable along the lateral rail.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an article hanging system for use in a display space such as a shop window, which is capable of hanging an article such as a goods exhibited in a shop, a hanger and a display shelf at a desired position. And, it further relates to components which constitute the article hanging system, such as a wire holder for slidably and detachably holding a wire to a rail, a wire hook for hooking a wire to the wire holder and a wire gripper for gripping an article at a desired position (height) along a wire.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a display space such as a shop window, various types of goods are exhibited by hanging on hangers or by setting on display shelves. Goods are arranged on hangers or display shelves so as to attract interest of pedestrians.

Conventionally, in such a display space, an arrangement of the goods is not changed for a predetermined period once the goods are arranged, because it is hard to alter positions and heights of the display shelves and the hangers. Consequentially, a change in the arrangement of the goods in a short cycle will attract more interest of pedestrians.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an article hanging system capable of easily changing an exhibit position and an exhibit height of an article such as a goods exhibited in a shop, a hanger and a display shelf. And, another object of the present invention is to provide components which constitute the article hanging system, such as various types of wire hangers, wire hooks and wire grippers.

An article hanging system according to the present invention comprises: a ceiling rail installed on a ceiling of a building; a wire holder slidably retained to said ceiling rail; a wire hanging down from said wire holder; and a gripper fixably attachable at a desired position along said wire, said gripper having an engagement portion with an article, wherein said ceiling rail comprising: a plurality of longitudinal rails extending in a direction (a longitudinal direction) and arranged on the ceiling; and a lateral rail slidable with respect to said longitudinal rails and spanned between said longitudinal rails, said wire holder is capable of sliding along said lateral rail.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the article hanging further comprises: a floor rail installed on a floor of a building; and a holder for holding a lower end of said wire, said holder slidable along said floor rail.

According to the present invention, an article can be exhibited at variable positions in a X-direction, a Y-direction and a Z-direction inside a three-dimensional space between the ceiling and the floor on which the longitudinal rail and the lateral rail are installed respectively, having a height equal to a length of the wire held from the ceiling. The exhibit position of the article in the X-Y plane can be easily changed by sliding the lateral rail with respect to the longitudinal rail or sliding the wire holder along the lateral rail. And, the exhibit height of the article in the Z-direction can be also easily changed by sliding the gripper along the wire. Accordingly, articles in a display space can be rearranged easily and quickly.

A slidable wire holder according to the present invention comprises: a slider slidable along a rail; and a wire hook attached to said slider; wherein said slider is provided with a body having an attachment portion at which said wire hook is attached, and, rollers assembled to said body so as to roll along the rail, wherein each of said rollers is composed of a first roller member and a second roller member, said first roller member being a single-piece having a flanged roller portion and an axis portion, said second roller member being a single-piece having a flanged roller portion and a sleeve portion, and said first roller member and said second roller member being assembled by fitting said axis portion of said first roller member into said sleeve portion of said second roller member.

According to the present invention, since each roller is made as a single-piece such that the axis portion is integrated with the roller portion, it becomes possible to raise a withstanding load about three times as large as that of a conventional roller constructed by a roller and a bearing.

A detachable wire holder according to the present invention comprises: a rail engagement member slidable along a rail and also detachable from the rail by rotating with respect to the rail by a predetermined angle; and a wire hook attached to said rail engagement member; wherein said rail engagement member comprises a shaft formed on one end thereof with an attachment portion for said wire hook, a head formed on another end of said shaft and engaged with a hollow engagement portion of the rail, and a rotation preventive portion formed under said head, and said rail engagement member further comprising: a locknut threadedly engaged with said shaft; a washer fitted onto said shaft and arranged between said locknut and said head; and a bias member which biases said washer toward said head, wherein said detachable wire holder assuming following three states:

a lock state where said locknut is threadedly advanced closer to said head onto said shaft so that the engagement portion of the rail will be tightly held between said head and said washer, whereby said rail engagement member is unslidably and undetachably held to the rail; a slidable state where said locknut is threadedly advanced away from said head onto said shaft for a predetermined distance, whereby said rail engagement member is slidably held to the rail and unrotatable with respect to said rail due to said rotation preventive portion; and a detachable state where said locknut is threadedly advanced further away from said head onto said shaft for a predetermined distance so that said rail engagement member will be allowed to rotate with respect to the rail, whereby said rail engagement member will be detached from the hollow engagement portion of the rail.

According to the present invention, the wire holder is slidable along the rail and fixable at a desired position therealong. Further, the wire holder is attachable and detachable at any position of the wire. In addition, the rotation preventive portion will prevent the wire holder from being detached off the rail accidentally.

A wire hook according to the present invention comprises: a sleeve member formed on one end thereof with a attachment portion at which another member is attached; a hook to which a wire is hooked, said hook being formed on another end of said sleeve member; and a slipping preventive member capable of opening and closing a space between a distal end of said hook and said sleeve member for preventing the wire from being slipped through the space; wherein said slipping preventive member is a V-shape lever, and biased outwardly like a spring by contacting with an outer surface of said sleeve member at proximal ends thereof, resulting in a pointed end of said slipping preventive member contacting with a distal end of said hook so as to close the space.

According to the present invention, accidental detachment of the wire from the wire hook can be prevented by a simple mechanism.

A wire gripper according to the present invention comprises: a gripper sleeve having a gripping mechanism fixably attachable at a desired position along a wire; a hook to which an article is hooked, said hook being coupled to said gripper sleeve; and a hook cover for closing a opening of said hook, said hook cover temporarily being locked to said gripper sleeve.

In the present invention, since a specified tool such as a hexagon wrench or a key is required for detachment of the hook cover from the gripper sleeve, it is difficult that an article hooked to the hook is detached therefrom easily, whereby a theft-proof gripper can be provided.

A wire gripper according to the present invention comprises: a gripper sleeve having a gripping mechanism fixably attachable at a desired position along a wire; and a hook to which an article is hooked, said hook being coupled to said gripper sleeve, said wire gripper further comprising: an outer ring mounted to a lower end of said gripper sleeve; an inner ring mounted to an upper end of said hook; and a bush arranged between said outer ring and said inner ring for holding said inner ring so as to rotate with respect to said outer ring, said bush made of a low-friction material.

In the present invention, when an article hooked to the gripper is so heavy that a load applied to the gripper is high, rotating the hook (which is mounted to the inner ring) with respect to the gripper (which is mounted to the outer ring) will cause the wire gripper to hold the article stably.

An article hanging system according to another embodiment of the present invention comprises: a rail installed on a wall or a ceiling of a building; a wire holder slidably retained to said rail; a wire hanging down from said wire holder; and a gripper fixably attachable at a desired position along said wire, said gripper having an engagement portion with an article; wherein said rail has a groove opened in a horizontal direction, a sliding portion of said wire holder being fitted therein, and said wire holder is slidably and detachably retained to said rail groove by engagement of the sliding portion thereof with said rail when said wire is strained downwardly, and said wire holder is detached from said rail groove by rotating said wire holder after said wire is loosened.

According to the present invention, the wire is strained downwardly due to a weight of an article hung by the wire. In other words, once an article is hung by the wire, it is hard to detach the wire holder from the rail, thus safe hanging is realized.

Here, the rail groove may be opened in a right horizontal direction or an obliquely horizontal direction.

In the present invention, it is preferable that said rail has the groove in which the sliding portion of said wire holder can be rotated, the rail groove being opened in a horizontal direction, said wire holder can be detached from said rail when said sliding portion thereof is so rotated in said rail groove that a longitudinal direction of said sliding portion is aligned with a longitudinal direction of said rail groove, and said wire holder cannot be detached from said rail when said sliding portion thereof is so rotated in said rail groove that a longitudinal direction of said sliding portion is aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said rail groove.

According to the present invention, since the sliding portion is formed as above described shape, a specified means is not required for retaining the wire holder to the rail undetachably but slidably. And, the wire holder can be easily attached and detached to the rail by a simple operation such as a rotation of the sliding portion thereof.

A wire holder according to another embodiment of the present invention comprises: a slider slidable along a rail and detachable from the rail by rotating with respect to the rail by a predetermined angle; and a wire hook attached to said slider; wherein said slider is provided with a sliding portion fitted into a groove of the rail, and a shaft portion coupled said sliding portion to said wire hook, said sliding portion having a length larger than a width of a opening of the rail groove and a width slightly shorter than the width of the opening of the rail groove, said sliding portion rotatable in said rail groove, said shaft portion has a diameter slightly smaller than the width of the opening of the rail groove, said shaft portion rotatable in said rail groove.

According to the present invention, an article hanging system capable of easily changing an exhibit position and an exhibit height of an article (for example, a goods exhibited in a shop, a hanger or a shelf) is provided. In addition, a wire holder capable of easily sliding along a rail as well as attaching and detaching to the rail, a wire hook having a detachment-proof mechanism, a wire gripper having a theft-proof mechanism or a rotating mechanism can be provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a drawing schematically showing an article hanging system according to the present invention.

An article hanging system1according to this embodiment comprises a ceiling rail assembly10installed on a ceiling, a floor rail assembly40installed on a floor, a wire holder50retained to the ceiling rail assembly10, a wire holder70retained to the floor rail assembly40, a wire100held to the wire holders50,70and extending between the wire holders50,70and a gripper120to which an article is fixably attached at a desired position along the wire100.

According to the invention, the article can be hung at variable positions in a X-direction, a Y-direction and a Z-direction inside a three-dimensional space between the ceiling on which the ceiling rail assembly10is installed and the floor on which the floor rail assembly40is installed.

First, the ceiling rail assembly10and the floor rail assembly40will be explained.

The ceiling rail assembly10according to this embodiment comprises a channel rail11extending in a lateral direction, two double-channel rails (H-shape rails)21extending in a longitudinal direction, an angle bracket35for installing the double-channel rail21on the ceiling and a rail connecter33for connecting the channel rail11with the double-channel rail21installed on the ceiling.

In following descriptions, the longitudinal direction shows a Y-direction in figures, and the lateral direction shows a X-direction in figures.

The channel rail11and the double-channel rail21will be explained.

FIG. 2is a drawing showing the channel rail and the double-channel rail,FIG. 2(A)is a cross-sectional drawing showing the channel rail andFIG. 2(B)is a cross-sectional drawing showing the double-channel rail.

As shown inFIG. 2(A), the channel rail11is provided with two sidewalls11aand a back wall11b. The sidewalls11aand the back wall11bform a groove (a hollow engagement portion)13in which the wire holder50is retained. The sidewalls11aare formed on edges thereof with sliding engagement portions15, which project to opposite directions each other. Between each sliding engagement portions15, an opening is formed. The back wall11bis formed with long holes17at specified intervals. The long holes17are for passing the rail connecter33when the channel rail11will be connected to the double-channel rail21.

The back wall11bis formed with grooves19extending in the length direction of the channel rail11, the grooves19having a cross section of a substantially circle. When the channel rails11will be adjoined in the length direction thereof, a connecting bar (like a long wire) is fitted into the groove19of each channel rail so that the channel rails11can be adjoined straightly in the length direction thereof.

As shown inFIG. 2(B), the double-channel rail21has a cross section of a H-letter, and is provided with two vertical sidewalls21aand a partition wall21bextending between centers of the vertical sidewalls21a. Both faces of the partition wall21bare concave inwardly. The vertical sidewalls21aand the partition wall21bform an upper groove (a hollow engagement portion)23and a lower groove (a hollow engagement portion)25. The sidewalls21aare formed on edges thereof with sliding engagement portions27,29respectively, which project to opposite directions each other. Between each sliding engagement portions27,29, an opening is formed respectively.

The sidewalls21aare formed with grooves31extending in the length direction of the rail21, the grooves31having a cross section of a substantially circle respectively. When the rails21will be adjoined in the length direction thereof, a connecting bar is fitted into the groove31of each rail21so that the rails21can be adjoined straightly in the length direction thereof.

As shown inFIG. 1, the two double-channel rails21are arranged in the longitudinal direction (the Y-direction), and fixed to a beam of the ceiling by the angle bracket35, which is fixed to the beam by a bolt39and coupled to the upper groove23of the double-channel rail21by a bolt37and a nut38.

The channel rail11is spanned between the two double-channel rails21in the lateral direction (the X-direction), and is slidably connected to the double-channel rails21by rail connecters33, which is passed through the long hole17of the channel rail11and engaged with the sliding engagement portion29of the double-channel rail21, as shown inFIG. 1. Hereby, the channel rail11is connected to the double-channel rails21so as to slide in the longitudinal direction (the Y-direction) as being spanned between the two double-channel rails21.

Next, the floor rail assembly40will be explained.

As shown inFIG. 1, the floor rail assembly40comprises two rails11Y extending in the longitudinal direction (the Y-direction) and a channel rail11X extending in the lateral direction (the X-direction). Each of the rails11X,11Y has a same structure as the channel rail11shown inFIG. 2(A)respectively.

The channel rails11Y are installed on the floor by screws34in the longitudinal direction (the Y-direction).

The channel rail11X is spanned between the two channel rails11Y in the lateral direction (the Y-direction), and arranged in a same position in the X-direction and the Y-direction as that of the channel rail11of the ceiling rail assembly10. The channel rail11X is slidably connected to each rail11Y by the rail connecter33, which is passed through the long hole17of the channel rail11X and engaged with the sliding engagement portion15of the channel rail11Y, as shown inFIG. 1. Hereby, the channel rail11X is connected to the channel rails11Y so as to slide in the longitudinal direction (the Y-direction) as being spanned between the two channel rails11Y.

Next, the slide wire holder will be explained.

The slide wire holder is for holding the wire100to the channel rail11of each of the rail assemblies10,40at a desired position therealong. As such holder, a T-shape holder50and a detachable holder70may be used (as described later in detail). The T-shape holder50is slidable along the channel rail11freely, but undetachable from the channel rail11neither temporarily fixable to the channel rail11. On the other hand, the detachable holder70is detachable from the channel rail11X as well as slidable along the channel rail11X and temporarily fixable at a desired position along the channel rail11X.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the T-shape holder50is retained to the ceiling rail assembly10, and the detachable holder70is retained to the floor rail assembly40.

FIG. 3is a drawing showing a shape of a slider of the T-shape holder,FIG. 3(A)is an elevation drawing of the slider andFIG. 3(B)is a side cross-sectional drawing of the slider.

The T-shape holder50comprises a slider51slidable along the channel rail11and a wire hook (shown as a number53inFIG. 1, not shown inFIG. 3) mounted to the slider51. The slider51, as shown inFIG. 3(A), is provided with a body55and two rollers57which are rotatably assembled in the body55. The body55has a sliding portion55aelongated in a horizontal direction ofFIG. 3(A), and a threaded portion55bextending downwardly from a center of the sliding portion55a. The threaded portion55bis threadedly engaged with a wire hook53(as shown inFIG. 1) resulting in the wire hook53being mounted to the slider51. The sliding portion55ais formed on both ends thereof with through-holes59for mounting the rollers57.

As shown inFIG. 3(B), the body55has a thickness narrower than a width between each sliding engagement portions15of the channel rail11. And, the roller57has a length longer than the width between the sliding engagement portions15of the channel rail11, and narrower than a width of the groove13of the channel rail11.

Each roller57is composed of a first roller member61and a second roller member63. Further, the first roller member61is provided with a flanged roller portion61aand an axis portion61bintegrated with the flanged roller portion61a. And, the axis portion61bhas a larger-diameter part and a smaller-diameter part. The larger-diameter part has a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the through-hole59formed on the sliding portion55aof the body55.

On the other hand, the second roller member63is provided with a flanged roller portion63aand a sleeve63bintegrated with the flanged roller portion63a. The sleeve portion63bhas an outer-diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the through-hole59and an inner-diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the smaller-diameter part of the axis portion61bof the first roller member61.

In order to assemble the holder50by these components, first, the second roller member63is coupled with the body55by inserting the sleeve portion63bthereof into the through-hole59of the sliding portion55aof the body55. Then, the first roller member61is coupled with the second roller member63coupled with the sliding portion55a, in a manner that the axis portion61bthereof is inserted into the sleeve portion63bof the second roller member63through the through-hole59of the sliding portion55a. And, finally, the smaller-diameter part of the axis portion61b, which projects from the flanged roller portion63aof the second roller63, is crushed by using a tool and self-locked to the second roller member63. Hereby, the both roller members61,63are fixed together to form each roller57, and the rollers57are rotatably assembled to the body55.

The T-shape wire holder50is retained to the channel rail11by inserting beforehand the sliding portion55aof the body55into the groove13of the channel rail11from an end in the length direction thereof. At this time, most of the sliding portion55aof the body55enters into the groove13of the channel rail11and the threaded portion55bthereof projects downwardly from the opening between each sliding engagement portions15of the channel rail11. And, the flanged roller portions61a,63aof the roller members61,63of each roller57run on the sliding engagement portions15of the channel rail11, whereby the holder50can slide along the channel rail11freely.

As mentioned above, since each roller57of the T-shape holder50is composed of the roller members61,63each of which the axis portion is integrated with the roller portion, it becomes possible that the slider51has a withstanding load about three times as high as that of a conventional holder which is assembled by using an axis and a bearing fixed thereon. And, the T-shape holder50has a compact shape, and is preferable for appearance since almost all of the body55thereof enters in the groove13of the channel rail11and is not seen from outside. However, since the holder50cannot be attached and detached freely at a desired position along the channel rail11as mentioned above, it is required that the holder50is retained to the channel rail11beforehand. And, the holder50cannot be temporarily fixed along the channel rail11. Accordingly, it may be suitable that the T-shape holder50is retained to one rail assembly either the ceiling rail assembly10or the floor rail assembly40(the ceiling rail assembly10in the embodiment), and slide by following another holder which is slidably and detachedly retained to the other rail assembly.

Next, the detachable wire holder70will be explained.

FIG. 4is a drawing showing a structure of a detachable wire holder,FIG. 4(A)is a cross-sectional drawing showing the wire holder in a lock state,FIG. 4(B)is a cross-sectional drawing showing the wire holder in a slidable state, andFIG. 4(C)is a cross-sectional drawing showing the wire holder in a detachable state.

FIG. 5is a drawing showing a structure of a shaft of the wire holder ofFIG. 4,FIG. 5(A)is an elevation drawing of the shaft,FIG. 5(B)is a side drawing the shaft andFIG. 5(C)is a plane drawing of the shaft.

InFIG. 4, each drawing is upside down with respect toFIG. 1for easy understanding.

The wire holder70comprises a rail engagement member71slidable along the rail and a wire hook110to which the wire100is hooked. The rail engagement member71has a shaft75, a locknut85, a washer87and a spring89.

The wire holder70is slidably retained to the channel rail11and also detachably retained from the channel rail11by rotating with respect to the channel rail11by a predetermined angle.

The shaft75has a side view of a T-letter as shown inFIG. 5(A), and provided with a head77protruding perpendicular to an axis direction of the shaft75on an upper end thereof. The head77, as shown inFIG. 5(C)showing a plane view thereof, has opposite ends in a longitudinal direction (a length direction) thereof being arcuately curved and opposite sides in a lateral direction (a width direction) thereof being straight and parallel each other. And, the head77has a length longer than the width between the sliding engagement portions15of the channel rail11and substantially equal to the width of the groove13of the channel rail11, and has a width substantially equal to the width between the sliding engagement portions15of the channel rail11. Accordingly, the head77is rotatable in the groove13of the channel rail11. When the head77is so rotated that the length direction of thereof is aligned perpendicular to the length direction of the groove13of the channel rail11, the wire holder70cannot be detached from the channel rail11through the opening between the sliding engagement portions15of the channel rail11because the head77is restrained by the sliding engagement portions15of the channel rail11. On the other hand, when the head77is so rotated in the groove13of the channel rail11that the length direction of the head77is aligned with the length direction of the groove13of the channel rail11, the wire holder70can be detached from the channel rail11through the opening between the sliding engagement portions15of the channel rail11without restrained by the sliding engagement portions15.

The shaft75is further provided with a rotation preventive portion79under the head77. The rotation preventive portion79has a plane view of a square, each of the edges of the square having a length substantially equal to the width between the sliding engagement portions15of the channel rail11, and has a certain thickness. And, the rotation preventive portion79has opposite sides coincident with the sidewalls of the head77in the width direction thereof.

Further, the shaft75is provided with a larger-diameter threaded portion81and a smaller-diameter threaded portion83under the rotation preventive portion79in this order. As shown inFIG. 4, the locknut85is threadedly engaged with the larger-diameter threaded portion81. And, the washer87and the spring89are fitted onto the shaft75over the locknut85in this order. The spring89is fitted onto the shaft75between the washer87and the locknut85, and biases the washer87toward the head77(in the upper direction in the figure) with respect to the locknut85.

And, the smaller-diameter threaded portion83is threadedly engaged with the wire hook110.

Now, referring toFIG. 4, an operation of the wire holder70will be explained, the wire holder,70assuming a lock state, a slidable state and a detachable state.

First, the lock state as shown inFIG. 4(A)will be explained.

In the lock state, the holder70is unslidably and undetachably fixed to the channel rail11. The head77of the holder70is inserted into the groove13of the channel rail11, and engaged with the sliding engagement portion15of the channel rail11. At this time, the rotation preventive portion79of the holder70is positioned between the sliding engagement portions15of the channel rail11. The locknut85is threadedly advanced onto the larger-diameter portion81toward the head77as close as possible. The washer87is biased toward the head77with respect to the locknut85by the spring89, and pressed toward the head77by the locknut85. As a result, the sliding engagement portion15of the channel rail11are tightly held between the head77and the washer87so that the rail engagement member71of the holder70is unslidably and undetachably fixed to the channel rail11.

Next, the slidable state as shown inFIG. 4(B)will be explained.

In the slidable state, the holder70is slidably but unrotatably attached to the channel rail11. In other ward, the holder70cannot be detached from the channel rail11. The locknut85is threadedly advanced onto the larger-diameter portion81away from the head77for a predetermined distance, and is biased downwardly with respect to the sliding engagement portion15of the channel rail11by the spring89. Hereby, the head77is biased downwardly and abuts on the sliding engagement portion15of the channel rail11. At a result, between the washer87and an upper end of the locknut85, a clearance H is formed. In other words, the washer87is biased toward the rail engagement portion15by only a bias force of the spring89.

In this state, since the sliding engagement portion15of the channel rail11is held between the head77and the washer87by only the bias force of the spring89, when the holder70is forced to be slid along the channel rail11by applying a force larger than the bias force of the spring89, the holder70can slide along the channel rail11. At this time, when the holder70will be pressed upwardly against the bias force of the spring89, a smooth slide of the holder70becomes possible.

On the other hand, when the holder70will be pressed upwardly against the bias force of the spring89, the upper end of the locknut85abuts on the under surface of the washer87, as shown in a double-dashed line in the figure. As a result, in the groove13of the rail, a clearance having a height equal to that of the clearance H is formed between the head77and the sliding engagement portion15of the channel rail11. Since the clearance H has a height (for example, 0.8 mm) smaller than the thickness (for example 1.00 mm) of the rotation preventive portion79, a whole of the rotation preventive portion79cannot enter into the groove13of the channel rail11. So, when the holder70will be rotated with respect to the channel rail11, since the rotation preventive portion79is restrained by the sliding engagement portion15of the channel rail11, the holder70cannot be rotated with respect to the channel rail11. That is, the holder70cannot be detached from the channel rail11.

Next, the detachable state as shown inFIG. 4(C)will be explained.

In this state, the holder70is rotatably and also detachably attached to the channel rail11. In the state, the locknut85is further threadedly advanced onto the larger-diameter portion81away from the head77for a longer predetermined distance. The locknut85is further biased downwardly with respect to the channel rail engagement portion15of the channel rail11by the spring89. As a result, a larger clearance H′ is formed between the washer87and the locknut85.

When the holder70will be pressed upwardly against the bias force of the spring89, the locknut85abuts on the under surface of the washer87, as shown in a double-dashed line in the figure. As a result, in the groove13of the channel rail11, a larger clearance having a height equal to that of the clearance H′ (the height H′ is larger than the height H shown inFIG. 4(B), for example 1.2 mm) is formed between the head77and the sliding engagement portion15of the channel rail11. Hereby, the whole of the rotation preventive portion79can enter into the groove13of the channel rail11and be rotated therein. Accordingly, when the holder70will be rotated with respect to the channel rail11, the rotation preventive portion79(that is the holder70) can be rotated in the groove13of the channel rail11without being restrained by the sliding engagement portion15of the channel rail11. Then, when the holder70will be rotated with respect to the channel rail11by substantially90, since the length direction of the head77aligns with the length direction of the groove13of the channel rail11, the head77of the holder70can be detached from the channel rail11through the space between the sliding engagement portions15of the channel rail11.

As explained above, the detachable wire holder70can be detachably attached at a desired position along the channel rail11. For change of the attachment position of the holder70, firstly, the holder70is made to be the slidable state and then slid to a desired position along the channel rail11. And, next, it is made to be the lock state and then fixed to the position temporarily. Accordingly, when the wire holder70and the T-shape holder50are retained to the floor rail assembly40and the ceiling rail assembly10respectively, it will be possible that both ends of the wire are located at a same location in the X-direction.

Next, the wire hook110will be explained.

The wire hook110is mounted to the detachable wire holder70, and is for hooking the wire so as not to slip the wire100from the wire holder70.

FIG. 6is a drawing showing the wire hook,FIG. 6(A)is an elevation drawing of the wire hook andFIG. 6(B)is a side drawing of the wire hook.

The wire hook110is provided with a sleeve member111, a hook member113from which the wire100is hooked and a slipping preventive member115. The sleeve member111is formed on an upper end thereof with an inner thread, with which the smaller-diameter portion83of the wire holder70is threadedly engaged, resulting in the wire hook110being mounted to the wire holder70. The hook member113is mounted to the lower end of the sleeve member111.

As shown inFIG. 6(B), the slipping preventive member115is made by folding an elongate stainless steel wire into substantially a V-letter and inserting both ends of the wire into holes formed at a cylindrical periphery of the sleeve member111. A pointed end115aof the slipping preventive member115is contacted with a distal end113aof the hook member113from inside of the hook member113. Hereby, a space between the distal end113aof the hook member113and the cylindrical periphery of the sleeve member111is closed.

When the slipping preventive member115is pressed inwardly until a position as shown in a dashed-line inFIG. 6(A), the space between the distal end113aof the hook member113and the cylindrical periphery of the sleeve member111is opened. And, when slipping preventive member115is further pressed inwardly, the both ends of the slipping preventive member115are spread outwardly by the cylindrical periphery of the sleeve member111. Then, when the force by which the slipping preventive member115is pressed inwardly is released, the slipping preventive member115is biased by the cylindrical periphery of the sleeve member111as shown in an arrow inFIG. 6(A), and is returned to its original position, in which the pointed end115aof the slipping preventive member115contacts with the distal end113aof the hook member113. Hereby, the space between the distal end113aof the hook member113and the cylindrical periphery of the sleeve member111is closed.

As mentioned above, in the wire hook110, the space between the distal end113aof the hook member113and the cylindrical periphery of the sleeve member111can be closed by a simple action such that the slipping preventive member115is biased outwardly by the cylindrical periphery of the sleeve member111.

For the wire100, a stranded wire which a plurality of stainless wires is stranded may be used. In the embodiment, an upper end of the wire100is detachably held to the wire hook53of the T-shape wire holder50which is slidably mounted to the channel rail11. The wire100is formed on a lower end thereof with a ring, to which the wire hook110of the detachable wire holder70is hooked.

At the middle of the wire100, the antitheft wire gripper120is mounted. The antitheft wire gripper120can slide along the wire100, and be temporarily fixed at a desired position (height).

The antitheft wire gripper120, to which various article such as a goods exhibited in a shop, a hanger and a shelf is hung, can be fixably attached at a desired position (height) along the wire100, and also can prevent the article hung thereby from being stolen.

FIG. 7is a drawing showing the antitheft wire gripper,FIG. 7(A)is an elevation drawing of the wire gripper view andFIG. 7(B)is a side drawing of the wire gripper.

The antitheft wire gripper120comprises a gripper sleeve121, a hook123and a hook cover125. The gripper sleeve121has a grip mechanism capable of being fixably attached at a desired position along the wire100. For the grip mechanism, a well-known mechanism (for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent number hei 11-113702) may be used.

The hook cover125is so served that a space between a distal end123aof the hook123and an outer surface of the gripper sleeve121is closed, and has a sliding portion125aslidable along the gripper sleeve121and a cover portion125b. The cover portion125bis formed on a distal end thereof with a hole126. When the sliding portion125ais slid onto the gripper sleeve121downwardly and upwardly, the space between the distal end123aof the hook123and the outer surface of the gripper sleeve121is opened and closed, with the distal end123aof the hook123coming in and out of the hole126of the cover portion125b. The sliding portion125acan be temporarily fixed to the gripper sleeve121by a set-screw127.

In a state as shown inFIG. 7, after the set-screw127is loosen, the cover portion125ais slid upwardly onto the gripper sleeve121, resulting in the space for hooking the article to the hook123being opened between the distal end123aof the hook123and the gripper sleeve121. Then, the cover portion125ais slid downwardly onto the gripper sleeve121with the distal end123aof the hook123being entered into the hole126of the cover portion125a, and then the set-screw127is tighten using a specified tool which is accommodated to the set-screw127, resulting in the hook cover125being temporarily fixed to the gripper sleeve121.

As mentioned above, since a specified tool (for example, a hexagon wrench) which is accommodated to the set-screw127is required for sliding the hook cover125with respect to the gripper sleeve121in order to open the space between the distal end123aof the hook123and the gripper sleeve121, the article is not allowed to be stolen from the gripper120easily.

Next, the rotatable gripper will be explained. The rotatable gripper, from which various articles are hanged, is fixably attached at a desired position (height) along the wire100. The article is hung to the rotatable gripper140so as to be rotated with respect to the rail freely.

FIG. 8is a partial cross-sectional drawing showing a structure of the rotatable gripper.

The rotatable gripper140comprises a gripper sleeve141and a hook (not shown) to which an article is hooked. The gripper sleeve141has a grip mechanism capable of being fixably attached at a desired position along the wire100. For the grip mechanism, a well-known mechanism may be used.

The gripper sleeve141is provided with an outer ring143and an inner ring145which is fit into the outer ring143. Both rings are fit into a lower end of the gripper sleeve141, and the outer ring143is fixed to the gripper sleeve141by a pin. The outer ring143is formed on an inner surface thereof with a step. The inner ring145is formed on an upper end thereof with a flange extending outwardly, and on a lower end with a threaded portion146. The inner ring145is fit into the outer ring143in a manner that the threaded portion146thereof is projected from the lower end of the outer ring143. The threaded portion146is threadedly engaged with an inner thread formed on a wire hook (for example, the wire hook as shown inFIG. 6) resulting in the gripper140is coupled to the wire hook.

The gripper sleeve141is further provided with a bush147disposed between the step of the outer ring143and the flange of the inner ring145, and is made of a low-frictional material such as a fluoro-plastic.

Hereby, the inner ring145is held to the outer ring143so as to be rotated with respect to the outer ring143. Therefore, the hook engaged with the inner ring145can be rotated with respect to the gripper sleeve141fixed to the outer ring143. That is, an article which is hung by the hook can be rotated with respect to the gripper sleeve141(the wire) freely. In the case that the article is heavy and a load applied to the gripper is high, the gripper140can hold the article stably if the hook will be rotated with respect to the gripper sleeve141.

Referring toFIG. 1again, one embodiment for changing an exhibit position of an article which is hung from the wire gripper120in the article hanging system1will be explained.

In order to change an exhibit position in the X-direction, the detachable wire holder70to which the wire100is held at the lower end thereof is made to be in the slidable state, and then, is slid to a desired position along the lateral channel rail11X of the floor rail assembly40. Herewith, the T-shape wire holder50to which the wire100is held at the upper end thereof is slid along the channel rail11of the ceiling rail assembly10by following the wire holder70.

In order to change an exhibit position in the Y-direction, the channel rail11is slid to a desired position along the double-channel rails21. At the same time, the channel rail11X of the floor rail assembly40is slid to a desired position along the channel rails11Y.

In order to change an exhibit position in the Z-direction, the wire gripper120is made to be the slidable state, and is slid to a desired position (height) along the wire100. Then, the gripper120is made to be the lock state and temporarily fixed to the desired position.

While the wire100is slid along the floor rail assembly40at the lower end thereof in this present embodiment, the wire100may be hung from the ceiling rail assembly10without the lower end of the wire100being restrained.

Next, another embodiment of an article hanging system according to the present invention is explained.

FIG. 9is a drawing showing another embodiment of an article hanging system according to the present invention,FIG. 9(A)is a cross-sectional side drawing of the article hanging system andFIG. 9(B)is an elevation drawing of the article hanging system.

The article hanging system201according to this embodiment comprises a rail210installed on a wall W, a wire holder240capable of sliding along the rail210, a wire260held to the wire holder240, and a gripper270for hanging the article at a desired position along the wire260.

First, a structure of the rail210will be explained.

FIG. 10is a drawing showing the structure of the rail of the article hanging system ofFIG. 9,FIG. 10(A)is a cross-sectional side drawing of the rail body andFIG. 10(B)is a cross-sectional side drawing showing an appearance which the rail is installed on the wall.

The rail210has a long back plate211, with a rail channel213extending in a length direction of the rail210, the rail channel213being formed on a lower half-face of the back plate211. The rail channel213has an inner groove221formed by the back plate211and two sidewalls215perpendicular to the back plate211. The sidewalls215are formed on edges thereof with inside engagement portions217, which projects to opposite directions each other. Between the both inside engagement portions217, an opening219is opened. The inner groove221has a cross section of a substantially square. The sidewalls215are formed on edges thereof with outside engagement portions223projecting to opposite directions.

Additionally, the rail channel213has some grooves225extending to the length direction of the rail210and having a cross section of a substantially circle. When the rails210will be adjoined, connecting bars are fitted into the grooves225so that the rails210can be adjoined straightly.

And, the back plate211is formed on an upper half-plane in the width direction thereof with holes233at predetermined intervals, and with a wall panel engagement portion231perpendicular to the back plate211.

Referring to theFIG. 10(B), an installing process of the rail210on the wall will be explained.

First, the back plate211of the rail210is arranged horizontally on the wall at a predetermined height with the rail channel213thereof being lower-side, and then bolts S are passed through the hole233of the back plate211and screwed to the wall W. Hereby, the rail210is mounted on the wall W, with the opening219of the rail channel213being opened in a horizontal direction. Next, a plaster board B is set on the upper sidewall215of the rail channel213, and held between the outside engagement portion223of the upper sidewall215and the wall panel engagement portion231. Then, the plaster board B is fixed to the wall by a well-known way. Then, another plaster board B is set under the lower sidewall215and engaged with the outside engagement portion223of the lower sidewall215, and then fixed to the wall by a well-known way.

Next, the wire holder240will be explained.

FIG. 11is a drawing showing a structure of the wire holder,FIG. 11(A)is a side drawing of the wire holder andFIG. 11(B)is an elevation drawing of the wire holder.

The wire holder240is provided with a slider241retained in the rail channel213of the rail210, and a wire hook251for hooking the wire.

The wire hook251has a through-hole253extending to a longitudinal direction thereof (in a gravitational direction). The through-hole253is for passing the wire260through, and has a larger-diameter threaded portion253a, a smaller-diameter portion253band a step255between the larger-diameter portion253aand the smaller-diameter portion253b.

As shown inFIG. 9, the wire260has a lock portion261of a diameter larger than a diameter of the wire260at one end thereof. The wire260is held to the wire hook251by engagement of the lock portion261of the wire260with the step255of the wire hook251. The wire gripper270having a hook271(an article engagement portion) is attachable to a desired position along the wire260passed from the wire holder240. For such wire gripper270, a well-known wire gripper (for example, the wire gripper as shown inFIG. 7) may be used.

Referring to theFIG. 11again, the wire holder240will be explained.

As mentioned above, the wire holder240is provided with a slider241which protrudes from a side surface of the wire hook251. The slider241has a shaft portion243protruding in a horizontal direction from the side surface of the wire hook251, and a sliding portion245at a distal end of the shaft portion243. The sliding portion245is extending in a longitudinal direction (a gravitational direction), and, as shown inFIG. 11(B), has opposite ends247in the longitudinal direction (a length direction) thereof being arcuately curved, and opposite sides in the lateral direction (a width direction) thereof being straight and parallel. The sliding portion245has a length slightly smaller than a width of the inner groove221of the rail channel213(a distance between both sidewalls215), with the each curved end247thereof having a curvature slightly smaller than a curvature of a circle which has a diameter substantially equal to the width of the inner groove221. And, the sliding portion245has a width substantially equal to the width of the opening219of the rail channel213(a distance between the both inside engagement portions217).

In addition, the sliding portion245has a thickness substantially equal to a depth of the inner groove221.

The shaft portion243is column-shaped, and has a diameter slightly smaller than the width of the opening219of the rail channel213(a distance between the both inside engagement portions217) and a length substantially equal to the thickness of the inside engagement portions217of the rail channel213.

Referring toFIG. 9, an attachment and detachment process of the wire holder240to the rail210will be explained.

In order to attach the wire holder240to the rail210, first, the length direction of the sliding portion245is aligned with a length direction of the opening219of the rail channel213, and then, the sliding portion245is passed through the opening219. Since the width of the sliding portion245and the diameter of the shaft portion243are substantially equal to the width of the opening219, the sliding portion245can enter into the inner groove221through the opening219of the rail channel213. After whole of the sliding portion245enters into the inner groove221, as shown in an arrow inFIG. 9(B), the sliding portion245will be rotated by 90°. At this time, since the sliding portion245has the diameter slightly shorter than the width of the inner groove221, the sliding portion245can be rotated therein. In addition, since the shaft portion243has a diameter substantially equal to the width of the opening219, the shaft portion243can also be rotated therein.

After the sliding portion245is rotated by 90° as shown inFIG. 9(A), since the curved ends247are engaged with the inside engagement portions217of the rail channel213, the sliding portion245cannot be detached from the inner groove221through the opening219. And, the sliding portion245is slidably retained in the inner groove221of the rail channel213while the curved ends247thereof being contacted with the sidewalls215of the rail channel213, whereby smooth sliding of the slider241becomes possible.

Here, the sliding portion245is extending to the gravitational direction after rotating by 90°. In other word, the sliding portion245is extending in the gravitational direction when the wire hook251is extending to the gravitational direction by straining the wire260in the gravitationally direction due to a weight of an article hung to the wire gripper270. Accordingly, an article hung by the gripper270allows the wire holder240to be undetachably attached to the rail210.

In addition, since the shaft portion243has the length substantially equal to the thickness of the inside engagement portion217, the wire holder240is prevented from being swung to a depth direction of the rail channel213.

Accordingly, the sliding portion245can come in and out of the inner groove221of the rail channel213by aligning the length direction thereof with the length direction of the opening219of the rail channel213. And, after coming the sliding portion245in the inner groove221, the wire holder240is so rotated that the length direction thereof is aligned with the length direction of the opening219, whereby the wire holder240becomes undetachable from the rail210.

As mentioned above, the sliding portion245and the shaft portion243of the wire holder240are rotatably retained in the inner groove221and opening219of the rail channel213. Therefore, when the wire holder240will be slid along the rail210by pulling a lower end of the wire260, the slider241can slide along the rail as being tilted with respect to the rail210.

FIG. 12is a drawing showing another embodiment of the article hanging system according to the present invention.

The article hanging system301in the embodiment comprises the rail210as shown inFIG. 10, the wire holder240as shown inFIG. 11, and a hook310. In this embodiment, the wire holder240is retained to the rail210upside down. And, the hook310is directly attached to the wire holder240by threadedly engaging with the larger-diameter threaded portion253aof the wire holder240. An article is hung by the hook310.

Another embodiments of a way for attachment of the rail210shown inFIG. 10(A)to a wall will be explained.

FIG. 13toFIG. 15are drawings each showing an appearance which the rail shown inFIG. 10(A)is installed on a wall.

FIG. 13shows an embodiment which the rail is installed on an upper end of the wall beforehand.

The rail210is arranged to a corner between a ceiling C and a woody substrate W, with the rail channel213thereof being lower-side. The back plate211of the rail210is fixed to the woody substrate W by a screw S. Two plaster boards B are laid under the lower sidewall215of the rail channel213. The front plaster boards B is held between the outside engagement portion223of the rail channel213and the wall panel engagement portion231, and the back plaster board B is held between the woody substrate W and the front plaster board B.

FIG. 14shows another embodiment which the rail is installed on an upper end of the wall beforehand.

In the embodiment, the rail210is fixed to an angle bracket A by a bolt S with the rail channel213thereof being lower-side. The angle bracket A is coupled to another angle bracket A by a bolt S, the later angle bracket A being fixed by welding to a concrete building frame W. Two ceiling boards C are fixed to a beam of the ceiling while being held by the upper outside engagement portion223of the upper sidewall215and the wall panel engagement portion231. Two plaster boards B are laid under the lower outside engagement portion223of the rail210with being engaged with the outside engagement portion223of the lower sidewall215. Between the plaster board B and the building frame W, plaster is filled.

FIG. 15shows another embodiment which the rail is installed on an upper end of the wall beforehand.

In the embodiment, the rail210is fixed to an angle bracket A by a bolt S with the rail channel213thereof being lower-side. The angle bracket A is coupled to another angle bracket A by a bolt S, the later angle bracket A being fixed by welding to a concrete building frame. Two ceiling boards C are fixed to a beam of the ceiling with being held by the upper outside engagement portion223of the upper sidewall215and the wall panel engagement portion231. A marble board is lied under the lower sidewall215of the rail channel213with being engaged with the lower outside engagement portion223of the lower sidewall215, and fixed to an angle bracket A. The angle bracket A is coupled to another angle bracket A, the later angle bracket A being fixed by welding to a concrete building frame, by using a bolt S and anchor K.

FIG. 16is a drawing showing another embodiment of an article hanging system according to the present invention.

The article hanging system401in this embodiment is for installing the rail210on a ceiling C. The system401comprises the rail210installed on the ceiling C, a slider441capable of sliding along the rail210, a wire460held to the slider441and a gripper (not shown) for hanging an article at a desired position along the wire.

For the rail210, the rail as shown inFIG. 10may be used. In this embodiment, the rail210is installed on ceiling by fixing the back plate211thereof to the ceiling by a bolt.

The slider441has a sliding portion445and a shaft portion443, each portion having a same shape as the sliding portion245and the shaft portion243of the slider241, as shownFIG. 11, respectively. The slider441has a through hole through which the wire460is passed, the through hole extending to the length direction thereof. The through hole has a larger diameter threaded hole, a smaller-diameter hole and a step between the both holes.

The wire460has a locking portion having a diameter larger than a diameter of the wire460. The wire460is held to the slider441by engaging the locking portion thereof with the step of the through hole.

The slider441has a same attachment and detachment manner as that of the slider241as shown inFIG. 11.