Patent Publication Number: US-2009224117-A1

Title: Suction cup device and article attaching apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention contains subject matter related to Japanese Patent Application JP 2008-057498 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Mar. 7, 2008, the entire contents of which being incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a suction cup device and an article attaching apparatus. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A suction cup device is used to attach various articles to an attaching object face in the past. 
     Various suction cup devices of the type described have been proposed. One of such suction cup devices is generally configured such that it includes a suction cup having a suction face for being fixed to an attaching object face by suction, a center stem provided in a projecting manner from a rear face of the suction cup, a skirt member for covering the rear face of the suction cup, and an outer tubular member projecting from the center of the skirt member for accommodating the center stem therein. An article is connected to the outer tubular member of the suction cup device. A suction cup device of the type described is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. Hei 4-133773. 
     Incidentally, an article to be supported by such a suction cup device as described above may have such increased weight that it cannot be supported by a single suction cup device. In this instance, it seems a possible idea to take such a countermeasure that a plurality of suction cup devices are attached at the outer tubular members thereof to a frame in the form of a flat plate such that the center stems thereof extend perpendicularly to the frame and an article is attached to the frame such that the weight of the article is supported dispersedly by the plural suction cup devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Incidentally, although there is no problem where the suction cups of the plural suction cup devices connected to each other by the frame in this manner are fixed to an attaching object face which lies in a single plane, where the attaching object face is formed from a curved face or the like, the following problem occurs. 
     In particular, since the center stems of the suction cups of the suction cup devices extend perpendicularly to the frame, if one of the suction cup is attached to an attaching object face in such a state that the center stem thereof extends perpendicularly to the attaching object face, then the center stem of the remaining suction cup or cups is placed into a state wherein it does not extend perpendicularly to the attaching object face in the form of a curved face but extends obliquely. Therefore, a gap is formed between the attaching face of the suction cup and the attaching object face, resulting in difficulty to attach the suction device stably to the attaching object face. 
     Therefore, it is desirable to provide an article attaching apparatus wherein a plurality of suction cup devices can be attached stably and with certainty to an attaching object face in the form of a curved face or the like by suction and which can be used advantageously for attachment of a heavy article and a suction cup device suitable for use with the article attaching apparatus. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a suction cup device including a suction cup having a suction face and a rear face along a thicknesswise direction thereof, a center stem connected to a central portion of the rear face of the suction cup and extending in a direction away from the rear face along the thicknesswise direction, a case having a contacting portion capable of contacting with an outer circumferential portion of the rear face of the suction cup or with a portion of an attaching object face outside the suction cup in a state where the case covers the rear face of the suction cup and the suction face of the suction cup is attached to the attaching object face by suction, and a displacement mechanism provided between the center stem and the case for operating the case to cause the contacting portion of the case to contact with the outer circumferential portion of the rear face of the suction cup or the portion of the attaching object face outside the suction cup to displace the center stem in the direction away from the attaching object face in a state where the suction face of the suction cup is attached to the attaching object face by suction, the case having a male thread portion which extends in the direction away from the central portion of the rear face of the suction cup. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an article attaching apparatus, including a frame connected to an article, and a plurality of suction cup devices connected to the frame, each of the suction cup devices including a suction cup having a suction face and a rear face along a thicknesswise direction thereof, a center stem connected to a central portion of the rear face of the suction cup and extending in a direction away from the rear face along the thicknesswise direction, a case having a contacting portion capable of contacting with an outer circumferential portion of the rear face of the suction cup or with a portion of an attaching object face outside the suction cup in a state where the case covers the rear face of the suction cup and the suction face of the suction cup is attached to the attaching object face by suction, and a displacement mechanism provided between the center stem and the case for operating the case to cause the contacting portion of the case to contact with the outer circumferential portion of the rear face of the suction cup or the portion of the attaching object face outside the suction cup to displace the center stem in the direction away from the attaching object face in a state where the suction face of the suction cup is attached to the attaching object face by suction, the case having a plurality of male thread portions which extend in the direction away from the central portion of the rear face of the suction cup, the frame having a plurality of screw fitting holes formed at different positions thereof spaced away from each other and having an inner diameter which allows the male thread portions of the case to be fitted in the screw fitting holes and allows tilting motion of the male thread portions in the state where the male thread portions are fitted in the screw fitting holes, the male thread portions of the case being fitted in the screw fitting holes in the frame while a pair of nuts are screwed on each of the male thread portions such that the frame is held between and by the nuts to connect the suction cup devices to the frame. 
     According to a further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a suction cup device including a suction cup having a suction face and a rear face along a thicknesswise direction thereof, a center stem connected to a central portion of the rear face of the suction cup and extending in a direction away from the rear face along the thicknesswise direction, a case having a contacting portion capable of contacting with an outer circumferential portion of the rear face of the suction cup or with a portion of an attaching object face outside the suction cup in a state where the case covers the rear face of the suction cup and the suction face of the suction cup is attached to the attaching object face by suction, and a displacement mechanism provided between the center stem and the case for operating the case to cause the contacting portion of the case to contact with the outer circumferential portion of the rear face of the suction cup or the portion of the attaching object face outside the suction cup to displace the center stem in the direction away from the attaching object face in a state where the suction face of the suction cup is attached to the attaching object face by suction, an end portion of the center stem remote from the central portion of the rear face of the suction cup extending through the case so as to be exposed from the case, the center stem having a male thread portion provided at the portion thereof exposed from the case. 
     According to a still further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an article attaching apparatus including a frame connected to an article, and a plurality of suction cup devices connected to the frame, each of the suction cup devices including a suction cup having a suction face and a rear face along a thicknesswise direction thereof, a center stem connected to a central portion of the rear face of the suction cup and extending in a direction away from the rear face along the thicknesswise direction, a case having a contacting portion capable of contacting with an outer circumferential portion of the rear face of the suction cup or with a portion of an attaching object face outside the suction cup in a state where the case covers the rear face of the suction cup and the suction face of the suction cup is attached to the attaching object face by suction, and a displacement mechanism provided between the center stem and the case for operating the case to cause the contacting portion of the case to contact with the outer circumferential portion of the rear face of the suction cup or the portion of the attaching object face outside the suction cup to displace the center stem in the direction away from the attaching object face in a state where the suction face of the suction cup is attached to the attaching object face by suction, the center stem having a plurality of male thread portions provided at the portion thereof exposed from the case, the frame having a plurality of screw fitting holes formed at different positions thereof spaced away from each other and having an inner diameter which allows the male thread portions of the case to be fitted in the screw fitting holes and allows tilting motion of the male thread portions in the state where the male thread portions are fitted in the screw fitting holes, the male thread portions of the case being fitted in the screw fitting holes in the frame while a pair of nuts are screwed on each of the male thread portions such that the frame is held between and by the nuts to connect the suction cup devices to the frame. 
     According to a yet further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a suction cup device including a suction cup having a suction face and a rear face along a thicknesswise direction thereof, and a center stem connected to a central portion of the rear face of the suction cup and extending in a direction away from the rear face along the thicknesswise direction, the center stem having a male thread portion provided thereon. 
     According to a yet further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an article attaching apparatus including a frame connected to an article, and a plurality of suction cup devices connected to the frame, each of the suction cup devices including a suction cup having a suction face and a rear face along a thicknesswise direction thereof, and a center stem connected to a central portion of the rear face of the suction cup and extending in a direction away from the rear face along the thicknesswise direction, the center stem having a plurality of male thread portions provided thereon, the frame having a plurality of screw fitting holes formed at different positions thereof spaced away from each other and having an inner diameter which allows the male thread portions of the case to be fitted in the screw fitting holes and allows tilting motion of the male thread portions in the state where the male thread portions are fitted in the screw fitting holes, the male thread portions of the case being fitted in the screw fitting holes in the frame while a pair of nuts are screwed on each of the male thread portions such that the frame is held between and by the nuts to connect the suction cup devices to the frame. 
     With the suction cup devices and the article attaching apparatus, a plurality of such suction cup devices can be attached stably and with certainty by suction to an attaching object face which may be formed from a curved face or the like, and a heavy article can be attached advantageously. 
     The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts or elements denoted by like reference symbols. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a plan view of an article attaching apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention and  FIG. 1B  is a side elevational view of the article attaching apparatus as viewed in the direction indicated by an arrow mark B in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view showing a suction cup device of the article attaching apparatus in a non-attached state; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the suction cup device in the state illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view showing the suction cup device of the article attaching apparatus in an intermediately attached state; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the suction cup device in the state illustrated in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view showing the suction cup device of the article attaching apparatus in a finally attached state; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the suction cup device in the state illustrated in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8A  is a plan view of a frame of the article attaching apparatus and  FIG. 8B  is a side elevational view of the frame as viewed in the direction indicated by an arrow mark B in  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 9A  is a plan view of a nut of the article attaching apparatus and  FIG. 9B  is a side elevational view as viewed in the direction indicated by an arrow mark B in  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view showing a male thread member of the article attaching apparatus attached to the frame; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic side elevational view showing the article attaching apparatus attached to an attaching object face in the form of a curved face; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic side elevational view showing a hook member of an article attaching apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a state where the hook member is attached to a frame; 
         FIG. 13A  is a plan view of a plate-formed member of an article attaching apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 13B  is a side elevational view as viewed in the direction indicated by an arrow mark B in  FIG. 13A , and  FIG. 13C  is a side elevational view of a frame of the article attaching apparatus which is formed by placing two plate-formed members one on the other; 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevational view of the article attaching apparatus according to the third embodiment attached to a flat attaching object face; 
         FIG. 15  is a side elevational view of the article attaching apparatus according to the third embodiment attached to an attaching object face in the form of a curved face; 
         FIG. 16  is a plan view of an article attaching apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a side elevational view of the article attaching apparatus as viewed in the direction indicated by an arrow mark A in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIGS. 18 ,  19  and  20  are plan views of article attaching apparatus according to fifth, sixth and seventh embodiments of the present invention, respectively; 
         FIG. 21  is a side elevational view of the article attaching apparatus of  FIG. 20  as viewed in the direction indicated by an arrow mark A in  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 22A  is a plan view of a suction cup having a large diameter,  FIG. 22B  is a schematic side elevational view illustrating operation of the suction cup of  FIG. 22A ,  FIG. 22C  is a plan view of the article attaching apparatus of  FIG. 20 , and  FIG. 22D  is a schematic side elevational view illustrating operation of the suction cup of  FIG. 22C ; 
         FIG. 23  is a sectional view of a suction cup device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 24  is a schematic side elevational view of the suction cup device of  FIG. 23 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a sectional view of a suction cup device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 26  is a schematic side elevational view of the suction cup device of  FIG. 25 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a sectional view of a suction cup device according to a modification to the ninth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 28  is a schematic side elevational view of the modified suction cup device of  FIG. 27 ; 
         FIG. 29  is a sectional view of a suction cup device according to another modification to the ninth embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 30  is a schematic side elevational view of the modified suction cup device of  FIG. 29 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , there is shown an article attaching apparatus  10  according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The article attaching apparatus  10  is used, for example, to support a display panel of a car navigation system or a television apparatus on a dashboard in a cabin of an automobile or to support a controller for remotely controlling various vehicle-carried apparatus or the like. 
     The article attaching apparatus  10  includes a frame  12  and a plurality of suction cup devices  14 . 
     (Suction Cup Device  14 ) 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , each of the suction cup devices  14  includes a suction cup  16 , a center stem  18 , a case  20 , a displacement mechanism  22  and so forth. 
     The suction cup  16  has a shape of a disk, and one of the opposite faces of the suction cup  16  in the thicknesswise direction is formed as an attaching face  24  while the other face is formed as a rear face  26  of a convex configuration. 
     The suction cup  16  is made of a synthetic resin material having elasticity, and, for example, urethane-based materials, styrene-based materials, silicon resin-based materials and various elastic materials known in the past which are used for existing suction cups can be used as the synthetic resin material. 
     It is to be noted that a piece portion  16 A for being operated to detach the suction cup  16  is provided on an outer edge of the suction cup  16  such that it extends in a diametrically outward direction of the suction cup  16 . 
     The suction cup  16  may include, for example, a suction cup body  28  in the form of a disk which forms the rear face  26  and a gel layer  30  which forms the attaching face  24 . 
     The suction cup body  28  may be made of a synthetic resin material having elasticity similarly to the suction cup  16  described hereinabove, and a synthetic resin material having elasticity such as, for example, urethane-based materials, styrene-based materials, silicon resin-based materials and various elastic materials known in the past which are used for existing suction cups can be used as the synthetic resin material similarly to the suction cup  16  described above. 
     The gel layer  30  is formed from gel and is joined to an attaching face  2802  formed in a concave shape on a face of the suction cup body  28  positioned remotely from the rear face  26  in such a manner as to cover over the attaching face  2802 . The attaching face  24  is formed from the surface of the gel layer  30 . 
     For the gel, synthetic resin-based gel such as polyethylene-based gel, styrene-based gel or silicon resin-based gel can be used, and as the polyethylene-based gel, for example, gel of the trade name “Cosmogel” by Cosmo Instruments Co., Ltd. which is an article on the market can be used. As the styrene-based gel, a gel of the trade name “NAGFRLEX” by Inoac Corporation which also is an article on the market can be used. As the silicon-based gel, for example, gel of the trade name “αGEL” (alpha gel) of TAICA CORPORATION which also is an article on the market can be used. 
     Further, for the joining of the gel layer  30  to the attaching face  2802 , for example, such a method as two-color molding or joining by a bonding agent can be adopted. 
     If the attaching face  24  is formed from the gel layer  30 , then even where an attaching object face  2  is formed as a leather embossed face or from a fine projection and recess face or else as a coarse face, the attaching face  24  deforms following up the face geometry. Consequently, the attaching face  24  can be contacted closely with the projection and recess face or coarse face. This is advantageous where various articles are attached with certainty to the attaching object face  2  such as a leather embossed face of a dashboard or the like. 
     The center stem  18  is connected to a central portion of the rear face  26  of the suction cup  16  and extends in a direction away from the rear face  26 . In other words, the center stem  18  is provided at a central portion of the rear face  26  of the suction cup  16  in a projecting manner in a thicknesswise direction of the suction cup  16  along the center axis of the attaching face  24  in a direction away from the rear face  26 . 
     The center stem  18  is made of a material having rigidity such as, for example, a metal material or a hard synthetic resin material and is embedded at a lower end thereof at a swollen portion at the center of the suction cup  16 . 
     In the present embodiment, the center stem  18  includes a tubular member  1802  connected to the central portion of the rear face  26  and a stem-like member  1804  disposed in the inside of the tubular member  1802  and embedded at the central portion of the rear face  26 . 
     The case  20  has a skirt portion  32 , an outer side tubular portion  34 , a male thread portion  36  and so forth and is formed from a material having rigidity such as a hard synthetic resin material. 
     The skirt portion  32  has a contacting portion  38  which covers the rear face  26  of the suction cup  16  and is capable of contacting with an outer circumferential portion of the rear face  26  or with a portion of the attaching object face  2  outside the suction cup  16  in a state where the attaching face  24  is fixed to the attaching object face  2  by suction. 
     The outer side tubular portion  34  stands uprightly from the center of the skirt portion  32  and has the center stem  18  accommodated on the inner side thereof. 
     The male thread portion  36  is formed coaxially with the center stem  18  at a portion of the case  20  spaced away from the central portion of the rear face  26  of the suction cup  16 . 
     In the present embodiment, the male thread portion  36  is provided at an upper portion of the outer side tubular portion  34 . 
     The displacement mechanism  22  is provided between the center stem  18  and the case  20  such that, in a state where the attaching face  24  is fixed to the attaching object face  2  by suction, the contacting portion  38  is contacted with the outer circumferential portion of the rear face  26  or with a portion of the attaching object face  2  outside the suction cup  16  to displace the center stem  18  in a direction away from the attaching object face  2 . 
     In the present embodiment, the displacement mechanism  22  includes a knob  40  and a cam  42 . 
     The knob  40  is disposed for rotation at an upper end of the stem-like member  1804 , and the cam  42  is provided on an outer periphery of a lower end of the knob  40 . 
     If the contacting portion  38  is contacted with the outer peripheral portion of the rear face  26  or with the portion of the attaching object face  2  outside the suction cup  16  in a state where the attaching face  24  is fixed to the attaching object face  2  by suction as seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5  and then the knob  40  is operated for rotation as seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , then the cam  42  rides on a bearing face  2002  of the case  20  to displace the center stem  18  in a direction away from the attaching object face  2 . 
     Consequently, the fixation of the attaching face  24  to the attaching object face  2  is made surer. 
     It is to be noted that, for the configuration of the displacement mechanism  22  which causes the contacting portion  38  to contact with the outer peripheral portion of the rear face  26  or with the portion of the attaching object face  2  outside the suction cup  16  in a state where the attaching face  24  is fixed to the attaching object face  2  by suction to displace the center stem  18  in a direction away from the attaching object face  2 , various structures known in the past such as, for example, a structure which uses a spring can be adopted. Thus, the configuration of the displacement mechanism  22  is not limited to the structure of the embodiment described above. 
     (Frame  12 ) 
     The frame  12  is provided to allow a plurality of suction cup devices  14  to support an article and interconnects the suction cup devices  14  while it is connected to an article. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the frame  12  has a form of a plate having a uniform width and a uniform thickness and has a pair of screw fitting holes  1202  formed at the opposite ends in the longitudinal direction thereof such that the male thread portion  36  can be fitted in each of the screw fitting holes  1202 . 
     Each of the screw fitting holes  1202  is formed with an inner diameter greater than the diameter of the screw thread of the male thread portion  36  but smaller than the profile of a nut  44  shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . Further, the screw fitting hole  1202  is formed with a dimension with which the male thread portion  36  can be tilted in the screw fitting hole  1202 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1B , attachment of the male thread portion  36  of the frame  12  is carried out such that the frame  12  is held by and between a pair of nuts  44  screwed on the male thread portion  36  fitted in the screw fitting hole  1202  and opposed to the opposite faces of the frame  12 . 
     Further, referring to  FIG. 1   b,  an article connecting member  46  for connecting an article is provided uprightly at a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the frame  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the article connecting member  46  includes a stem portion  4602  fitted, for example, in a hole  1210  of the frame  12 , an upper flange  4604  provided at one of the opposite ends of the stem portion  4602 , a male thread  4606  provided at the opposite end of the stem portion  4602 , a female thread member  4608  screwed on the male thread  4606  for cooperating with the upper flange  4604  to held the frame  12  therebetween, and so forth. A male thread  4610  for being coupled to an article is provided on the upper flange  4604 . 
     If a male thread of ¼-20 UNC (inches) corresponding to a female thread for mounting a tripod provided on a housing of an image pickup apparatus such as a digital still camera, a film camera or a video camera is used as the male thread  4610 , then it is possible to attach the image pickup apparatus to the article attaching apparatus  10  through the article connecting member  46  and use the image pickup apparatus readily. 
     (Method of Use) 
     Now, a method of use of the article attaching apparatus  10  is described. 
     The male thread portions  36  are fitted into the screw fitting holes  1202  of the frame  12  in a state where one nut  44  is screwed to the base end of the male thread portion  36  of each suction cup device  14  in advance. 
     In this state, the attaching face  24  of the suction cup  16  of each suction cup device  14  is attached by suction to the attaching object face  2  to which the article attaching apparatus  10  is to be attached. Then, the knob  40  is operated to rotate to displace the center stem  18  in a direction away from the attaching object face  2  through the displacement mechanism  22  so that the attaching face  24  is fixed with certainty to the attaching object face  2  by suction. 
     Thereafter, the male thread portions  36  are fitted into the screw fitting holes  1202  and another nut  44  is screwed to each of the male thread portions  36  such that a portion of the frame  12  is held by and between the nut  44  and the cooperative nut  44  to connect the suction cup device  14  to the frame  12 . 
     Consequently, the frame  12  and the article connecting member  46  are attached to the attaching object face  2  through the plural suction cup devices  14 . 
     Here, by connecting the article connecting member  46  to an article, the article is attached to the attaching object face  2  through the frame  12  and the plural suction cup devices  14 . 
     Here, if two attaching object faces  2 A and  2 B are formed from flat faces extending in parallel to each other and exhibit an offset in a direction perpendicular to the planes of the attaching object faces  2 A and  2 B as seen in  FIG. 1B , then by adjusting the heightwise positions of the nuts  44  screwed to the male thread portions  36 , an article can be attached stably to the attaching object faces  2 A and  2 B by the article attaching apparatus  10  in a state where the frame  12  and the attaching object faces  2 A and  2 B extend in parallel to each other. 
     On the other hand, where the attaching object face  2  is a curved face as seen in  FIG. 11 , since the male thread portions  36  project in a direction perpendicular to the curved face, it is impossible to connect the male thread portions to each other in the past. However, with the article attaching apparatus  10  according to the present embodiment, since the male thread portions  36  of the suction cup devices  14  can be tilted within the screw fitting holes  1202  of the frame  12 , the attaching faces  24  of the suction cup devices  14  can be fixed with certainty by suction to the attaching object face  2  in the form of a curved face. Further, since the frame  12  is held by and between the nuts  44  screwed on the male thread portions  36 , the article can be supported by the frame  12  in a state where the suction cup devices  14  are fixed with certainty by suction to the attaching object face  2  in the form of a curved face. 
     Accordingly, the article can be attached stably to the attaching object face  2  in the form of a curved face by the article attaching apparatus  10 . 
     It is to be noted that removal of the article attaching apparatus  10  from the attaching object face  2  is carried out by picking up the piece portion  16 A of each suction cup device  14  to remove the suction cup  16  from the attaching object face  2 . 
     Accordingly, with the article attaching apparatus  10  of the present embodiment, the male thread portion  36  of each of the suction cup devices  14  is held by a portion of the frame through the nuts  44  in the state where the attaching faces  24  of the suction cups  16  of the plural suction cup devices  14  are fixed to the attaching object face  2  by suction. Therefore, the load applied to the frame  12  can be supported dispersedly by the plural suction cup devices  14 . 
     Accordingly, the article attaching apparatus  10  advantageously makes it possible to increase the load of the article which can be attached to the attaching object face  2  and makes it possible to attach an article, which cannot be attached in the past, to the attaching object face  2 . This is advantageous where improvement in convenience in handling of an article is achieved. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Now, a second embodiment of the present invention is described. 
     While, in the first embodiment, the article connecting member  46  includes the stem portion  4602 , upper flange  4604 , male thread  4606 , female thread member  4608  and so forth, in the present second embodiment, the article connecting member  46  is formed from a hook member  48 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates attachment of the hook member  48  in the second embodiment to the frame  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the hook member  48  includes a stem portion  4802  fitted, for example, in a hole  1210  of the frame  12 , an upper flange  4804  provided at one end portion of the stem portion  4802 , a male thread  4806  provide at the other end portion of the stem portion  4802 , a female thread member  4808  screwed on the male thread  4806  for cooperating with the upper flange  4804  to hold the frame  12  therebetween, and so forth. The upper flange  4804  has a hook  4810  provided thereon for suspending an article. 
     Also the present second embodiment having the configuration described above naturally exhibits advantages similar to those of the first embodiment. Besides, where a wall face in a room is used as the attaching object face  2 , a hanger for suspending clothes or the like can be suspended readily on the hook member  48 . The convenience in use of the article attaching apparatus  10  is exhibited advantageously. 
     Third Embodiment 
     Now, a third embodiment of the present invention is described. 
     The third embodiment is an article attaching apparatus  10  which includes three suction cup devices  14  and uses a frame  12  which includes two plate-formed members  1200 . 
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  show one of the plate-formed members  1200 , and  FIG. 13C  shows the frame  12  formed from the two plate-formed members  1200  placed one on the other. 
     The frame  12  includes two such plate-formed members  1200  as seen in  FIG. 13C  and each of the plate-formed members  1200  has a width of a dimension greater than that of the thickness thereof and has a length of a dimension greater than that of the width as seen in  FIGS. 13A and 13B . Thus, the plate-formed member  1200  has a generally elongated rectangular shape as viewed in plan. 
     Each of the plate-formed members  1200  has a first plate portion  12 A and a second plate portion  12 B lying in different parallel planes spaced by a distance equal to the thickness thereof. The first plate portion  12 A and the second plate portion  12 B are juxtaposed in a longitudinal direction with each other and connected to each other through a bent portion  1220 . 
     A pair of screw fitting holes  1202  are formed at the opposite ends in the longitudinal direction of each of the plate-formed members  1200 . 
     Each of the screw fitting holes  1202  is formed with an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the screw thread of the male thread portion  36  but smaller than the profile of the nuts  44  similarly as in the first embodiment. Further, each screw fitting hole  1202  is formed with a dimension with which the male thread portion  36  can be tilted in the screw fitting hole  1202 . 
     Meanwhile, a hole  1210  for receiving the stem portion  4602  of the article connecting member  46  therein is formed at a mid portion of each plate-formed member  1200 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the two plate-formed members  1200  are placed one on the other at portions thereof around one of the screw fitting holes  1202  thereof, and a male thread portion  36  is fitted in the overlapping screw fitting holes  1202 . Another male thread portion  36  is fitted in the other one of the screw fitting holes  1202  of each of the plate-formed members  1200 . A pair of nuts  44  are fitted on each male thread portion  36  and hold the plate-formed member  1200  therebetween to connect the suction cup device  14  to the plate-formed members  1200 . 
     Meanwhile, the stem portion  4602  of the article connecting member  46  is inserted in the hole  1210  of one of the plate-formed members  1200 , and the female thread member  4608  is used to connect the article connecting member  46  to the plate-formed member  1200 . 
     More particularly, the first plate portion  12 A of one of the two plate-formed members  1200  is placed on the second plate portion  12 B of the other one of the plate-formed members  1200  such that the screw fitting holes  1202  of the two plate-formed members  1200  are registered with each other. 
     Consequently, the two first plate portions  12 A of the two plate-formed members  1200  are positioned at the same heightwise position in the thicknesswise direction of the plate-formed members  1200 , and the two second plate portions  12 B are positioned at the same heightwise position but different from that of the first plate portions  12 A. 
     With the configuration described above, the load applied to the frame  12  can be supported dispersedly by the three suction cup devices  14 . 
     It is to be noted that it is optional to which one of the two plate-formed members  1200  the article connecting member  46  is attached or whether the article connecting member  46  is attached to one of the two plate-formed members  1200  or to both of the plate-formed members  1200 , as shown in  FIG. 13C . 
     Further, where portions of the attaching object face  2  to which the attaching faces  24  of the suction cups  16  of the suction cup devices  14  are attached by suction exhibit an offset or difference therebetween in a direction perpendicular to the planes of the attaching object face  2 , the heightwise position of the nuts  44  screwed on the male thread portions  36  is adjusted. By this, an article can be attached to the attaching object face  2  by the article attaching apparatus  10  stably in a state where the plate-formed members  1200  of the frame  12  and the portions of the attaching object face  2  extend in parallel to each other similarly as in the case of the first embodiment. 
     On the other hand, where the attaching object face  2  is a curved face as seen in  FIG. 15 , since the male thread portions  36  project in a direction perpendicular to the curved face, it is impossible to connect the male thread portions  36  to each other in the past. However, with the article attaching apparatus  10  according to the present embodiment, since the male thread portions  36  of the suction cup devices  14  can be tilted within the screw fitting holes  1202  of the frame  12 , the attaching faces  24  of the suction cup devices  14  can be fixed with certainty by suction to the attaching object face  2  in the form of a curved face similarly as in the first embodiment. Further, since the frame  12 , that is, the plate-formed members  1200 , are held by and between the nuts  44  screwed on the male thread portions  36 , the article can be supported by the frame  12  in a state where the suction cup devices  14  are fixed with certainty by suction to the attaching object face  2  in the form of a curved face. 
     Accordingly, the article can be attached stably to the attaching object face  2  in the form of a curved face by the article attaching apparatus  10 . 
     Accordingly, with the third embodiment of the present invention, the three suction cup devices  14  can be connected to each other by successively placing two plate-formed members  1200  one on another, and similar advantages to those of the first embodiment can be anticipated. 
     Further, since the first plate portion  12 A and the second plate portions  12 B which are displaced by an amount equal to the thickness of the plate-formed members  1200  in the thicknesswise direction of the plate-formed members  1200  are placed one on the other, the space occupied by the overlapping plate-formed members  1200  in the thicknesswise direction can be minimized. Consequently, the article attaching apparatus  10  of the present embodiment is superior in sight. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     Now, a fourth embodiment of the present invention is described. 
     The fourth embodiment is an article attaching apparatus  10  which uses three suction cup devices  14 . In particular, the frame  12  includes three plate-formed members  1200  which are superposed one on another and connected to each other such that they individually extend along the three sides of a triangle. 
       FIGS. 16 and 17  show the article attaching apparatus  10  according to the present fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , each of the three plate-formed members  1200  has a width of a dimension greater than that of the thickness thereof and has a length of a dimension greater than that of the width as seen in  FIGS. 16 and 17  similarly as in the third embodiment. Thus, the plate-formed member  1200  has a generally elongated rectangular shape as viewed in plan. 
     Each of the plate-formed members  1200  has a first plate portion  12 A and a second plate portion  12 B lying in different parallel planes spaced by a distance equal to the thickness thereof. The first plate portion  12 A and the second plate portion  12 B are juxtaposed in a longitudinal direction with each other and connected to each other through a bent portion  1220 . 
     A pair of screw fitting holes  1202  are formed at the opposite ends in the longitudinal direction of each of the three plate-formed members  1200 . The three plate-formed members  1200  are placed one on another at portions thereof around screw fitting holes  1202 , and the male thread portions  36  are fitted in the overlapping screw fitting holes  1202 . Further, the plate-formed members  1200  are held by and between the nuts  44  screwed on the male thread portions  36  with the overlapping plate-formed members  1200  interposed therebetween to connect the suction cup devices  14  to the plate-formed members  1200 . 
     Meanwhile, the stem portion  4602  of the article connecting member  46  is inserted in a hole  1210  of one of the plate-formed members  1200 , and the female thread member  4608  is used to connect the article connecting member  46  to the plate-formed member  1200 . 
     More particularly, on the second plate portion  12 B of a first one of the plate-formed members  1200 , the first plate portion  12 A of a second one of the plate-formed members  1200  is placed such that the screw fitting holes  1202  of the first and second plate-formed members  1200  are registered with each other. 
     Then, on the second plate portion  12 B of the second plate-formed member  1200 , the first plate portion  12 A of a third one of the plate-formed members  1200  is placed such that the screw fitting holes  1202  of the second and third plate-formed members  1200  are registered with each other. 
     Further, on the second plate portion  12 B of the third plate-formed member  1200 , the first plate portion  12 A of the first plate-formed member  1200  is placed such that the screw fitting holes  1202  of the first and third plate-formed members  1200  are registered with each other. 
     Consequently, the three first plate portions  12 A of the three plate-formed members  1200  are positioned at the same heightwise position in the thicknesswise direction of the plate-formed members  1200 , and the three second plate portions  12 B are positioned at the same heightwise position but different from that of the first plate portions  12 A. 
     With the configuration described above, the load applied to the frame  12  can be supported dispersedly by the three suction cup devices  14 . 
     It is to be noted that it is optional to which one of the three plate-formed members  1200  the article connecting member  46  is attached or whether the article connecting member  46  is attached to one of the three plate-formed members  1200 , two of the three plate-formed members  1200  or all of the three plate-formed members  1200 . 
     Further, where portions of the attaching object face  2  to which the attaching faces  24  of the suction cups  16  of the suction cup devices  14  are attached by suction exhibit an offset or difference therebetween in a direction perpendicular to the planes of the attaching object face  2 , the heightwise position of the nuts  44  screwed on the male thread portions  36  is adjusted. By this, an article can be attached to the attaching object face  2  by the article attaching apparatus  10  stably in a state where the plate-formed members  1200  of the frame  12  and the portions of the attaching object face  2  extend in parallel to each other similarly as in the case of the third embodiment. 
     On the other hand, where the attaching object face  2  is a curved face, since the male thread portions  36  project in a direction perpendicular to the curved face, it is impossible to connect the three male thread portions to each other in the past. However, with the article attaching apparatus  10  according to the present embodiment, since the male thread portions  36  of the suction cup devices  14  can be tilted within the screw fitting holes  1202  of the frame  12 , the attaching faces  24  of the suction cup devices  14  can be fixed with certainty by suction to the attaching object face  2  in the form of a curved face similarly as in the first embodiment. Further, since the frame  12 , that is, the plate-formed members  1200 , are held by and between the nuts  44  screwed on the male thread portions  36 , the article can be supported by the frame  12  in a state where the suction cup devices  14  are fixed with certainty by suction to the attaching object face  2  in the form of a curved face. 
     Accordingly, the article can be attached stably to the attaching object face  2  in the form of a curved face by the article attaching apparatus  10 . 
     Accordingly, with the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the three suction cup devices  14  can be connected to each other by successively placing three plate-formed members  1200  one on another. Further, since the load to the frame  12  can be supported dispersed by the three suction cup devices  14 , advantageously an article of increased weight can be supported stably. 
     Further, since the first plate portion  12 A and the second plate portion  12 B which are displaced by an amount equal to the thickness of the plate-formed members  1200  in the thicknesswise direction of the plate-formed members  1200  are placed one on the other, the space occupied by the overlapping plate-formed members  1200  in the thicknesswise direction can be minimized. Consequently, the article attaching apparatus  10  of the present embodiment is superior in sight. 
     Fifth Embodiment 
     Now, a fifth embodiment of the present invention is described. 
     The fifth embodiment is an article attaching apparatus  10  which uses four suction cup devices  14 . In particular, the frame  12  includes four plate-formed members  1200  which are superposed one on another and connected to each other such that they individually extend along the four sides of a parallelogram. 
       FIG. 18  shows the article attaching apparatus  10  according to the present fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , each of the four plate-formed members  1200  is formed in a similar manner as in the third embodiment. 
     The four plate-formed members  1200  are placed one on another at portions thereof around the screw fitting holes  1202 , and the male thread portions  36  are fitted in the overlapping screw fitting holes  1202 . Further, the plate-formed members  1200  placed one on another in this manner are held by and between the nuts  44  screwed on the male thread portions  36  with the overlapping plate-formed members interposed therebetween to connect the suction cup devices  14  to the plate-formed members  1200 . 
     Meanwhile, the stem portion  4602  of the article connecting member  46  is inserted in the hole  1210  of one of the plate-formed members  1200 , and the female thread member  4608  is used to connect the article connecting member  46  to the plate-formed member  1200 . 
     More particularly, on the second plate portion  12 B of a first one of the plate-formed members  1200 , the first plate portion  12 A of a second one of the plate-formed members  1200  is placed such that the screw fitting holes  1202  of the first and second plate-formed members  1200  are registered with each other. 
     Then, on the second plate portion  12 B of the second plate-formed member  1200 , the first plate portion  12 A of a third one of the plate-formed members  1200  is placed such that the screw fitting holes  1202  of the second and third plate-formed members  1200  are registered with each other. 
     Further, on the second plate portion  12 B of the third plate-formed member  1200 , the first plate portion  12 A of a fourth one of the plate-formed members  1200  is placed such that the screw fitting holes  1202  of the third and fourth plate-formed members  1200  are registered with each other. 
     Furthermore, on the second plate portion  12 B of the fourth plate-formed member  1200 , the first plate portion  12 A of the first plate-formed member  1200  is placed such that the screw fitting holes  1202  of the first and fourth plate-formed members  1200  are registered with each other. 
     Consequently, the four first plate portions  12 A of the four plate-formed members  1200  are positioned at the same heightwise position in the thicknesswise direction of the plate-formed members  1200 , and the four second plate portions  12 B are positioned at the same heightwise position but different from that of the first plate portions  12 A. 
     With the configuration described above, the load applied to the frame  12  can be supported dispersedly by the four suction cup devices  14 . 
     It is to be noted that it is optional to which one of the four plate-formed members  1200  the article connecting member  46  is attached or whether the article connecting member  46  is attached to one of the four plate-formed members  1200 , two of the four plate-formed members  1200 , three of the four plate-formed members  1200  or all of the four plate-formed members  1200 . 
     Further, where portions of the attaching object face  2  to which the attaching faces  24  of the suction cups  16  of the suction cup devices  14  are attached by suction exhibit an offset or difference therebetween in a direction perpendicular to the planes of the attaching object face  2 , the heightwise position of the nuts  44  screwed on the male thread portions  36  is adjusted. By this, an article can be attached to the attaching object face  2  by the article attaching apparatus  10  stably in a state where the plate-formed members  1200  of the frame  12  and the portions of the attaching object face  2  extend in parallel to each other similarly as in the case of the third embodiment. 
     On the other hand, where the attaching object face  2  is a curved face, since the male thread portions  36  project in a direction perpendicular to the curved face, it is impossible to connect the four male thread portions to each other in the past. However, with the article attaching apparatus  10  according to the present embodiment, since the male thread portions  36  of the suction cup devices  14  can be tilted within the screw fitting holes  1202  of the frame  12 , the attaching faces  24  of the suction cup devices  14  can be fixed with certainty by suction to the attaching object face  2  in the form of a curved face similarly as in the first embodiment. Further, since the frame  12 , that is, the plate-formed members  1200 , are held by and between the nuts  44  screwed on the male thread portions  36 , the article can be supported by the frame  12  in a state where the suction cup devices  14  are fixed with certainty by suction to the attaching object face  2  in the form of a curved face. 
     Accordingly, the article can be attached stably to the attaching object face  2  in the form of a curved face by the article attaching apparatus  10 . 
     Accordingly, with the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the four suction cup devices  14  can be connected to each other by successively placing the four plate-formed members  1200  one on another. Further, since the load to the frame  12  can be supported dispersed by the four suction cup devices  14 , advantageously an article of increased weight can be supported stably. 
     Further, since the first plate portion  12 A and the second plate portion  12 B which are displaced by an amount equal to the thickness of the plate-formed members  1200  in the thicknesswise direction of the plate-formed members  1200  are placed one on the other, the space occupied by the overlapping plate-formed members  1200  in the thicknesswise direction can be minimized. Consequently, the article attaching apparatus  10  of the present embodiment is superior in sight. 
     Sixth Embodiment 
     Now, a sixth embodiment of the present invention is described. 
     The sixth embodiment is an article attaching apparatus  10  which uses five suction cup devices  14 . In particular, the frame  12  includes four plate-formed members  1200  which are superposed one on another and connected to each other such that they extend along four straight lines connected angularly to each other. 
       FIG. 19  shows the article attaching apparatus  10  according to the present sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 19 , each of the four plate-formed members  1200  is formed in a similar manner as in the fourth embodiment. 
     The four plate-formed members  1200  are placed one on another at portions thereof around the screw fitting holes  1202 , and the male thread portions  36  are fitted in the overlapping screw fitting holes  1202 . Further, the plate-formed members  1200  placed one on another in this manner are held by and between the nuts  44  screwed on the male thread portions  36  with the overlapping plate-formed members  1200  interposed therebetween to connect the suction cup devices  14  to the plate-formed members  1200 . 
     Meanwhile, the stem portion  4602  of the article connecting member  46  is inserted in the hole  1210  of each of two ones of the plate-formed members  1200 , and the female thread member  4608  is used to connect each of the article connecting members  46  to the plate-formed member  1200 . 
     More particularly, on the second plate portion  12 B of a first one of the plate-formed members  1200 , the first plate portion  12 A of a second one of the plate-formed members  1200  is placed such that the screw fitting holes  1202  of the first and second plate-formed members  1200  are registered with each other. 
     Then, on the second plate portion  12 B of the second plate-formed member  1200 , the first plate portion  12 A of a third one of the plate-formed members  1200  is placed such that the screw fitting holes  1202  of the second and third plate-formed members  1200  are registered with each other. 
     Further, on the second plate portion  12 B of the third plate-formed member  1200 , the first plate portion  12 A of a fourth one of the plate-formed members  1200  is placed such that the screw fitting holes  1202  of the third and fourth plate-formed members  1200  are registered with each other. 
     With the configuration described above, the load applied to the frame  12  can be supported dispersedly by the five suction cup devices  14 . 
     Further, where portions of the attaching object face  2  to which the attaching faces  24  of the suction cups  16  of the suction cup devices  14  are attached by suction exhibit an offset or difference therebetween in a direction perpendicular to the planes of the attaching object face  2 , the heightwise position of the nuts  44  screwed on the male thread portions  36  is adjusted. By this, an article can be attached to the attaching object face  2  by the article attaching apparatus  10  stably in a state where the plate-formed members  1200  of the frame  12  and the portions of the attaching object face  2  extend in parallel to each other similarly as in the case of the third embodiment. 
     On the other hand, where the attaching object face  2  is a curved face, since the male thread portions  36  project in a direction perpendicular to the curved face, it is impossible to connect the five male thread portions to each other in the past. However, with the article attaching apparatus  10  according to the present embodiment, since the male thread portions  36  of the suction cup devices  14  can be tilted within the screw fitting holes  1202  of the frame  12 , the attaching faces  24  of the suction cup devices  14  can be fixed with certainty by suction to the attaching object face  2  in the form of a curved face similarly as in the first embodiment. Further, since the frame  12 , that is, the plate-formed members  1200 , are held by and between the nuts  44  screwed on the male thread portions  36 , the article can be supported by the frame  12  in a state where the suction cup devices  14  are fixed with certainty by suction to the attaching object face  2  in the form of a curved face. 
     Accordingly, the article can be attached stably to the attaching object face  2  in the form of a curved face by the article attaching apparatus  10 . 
     Accordingly, even if the portion of the attaching object face  2  to which the suction cup device  14  attached to the first plate-formed member  1200  is fixed by suction and the portion of the attaching object face  2  to which the suction cup device  14  attached to the fourth plate-formed member  1200  is fixed by suction exhibit a great difference in height therebetween, since the first plate-formed member  1200  and the fourth plate-formed member  1200  are not directly connected to each other, the article attaching apparatus  10  can be attached simply and with certainty to two different places of the attaching object face  2  which are much different in height from each other. 
     It is to be noted that it is optional to which one of the four plate-formed members  1200  the article connecting member  46  is attached or whether the article connecting member  46  is attached to one of the four plate-formed members  1200 , two of the four plate-formed members  1200 , three of the four plate-formed members  1200  or all of the four plate-formed members  1200 . 
     Accordingly, with the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the five suction cup devices  14  can be connected to each other by successively placing the four plate-formed members  1200  one on another. Further, since the load to the frame  12  can be supported dispersed by the five suction cup devices  14 , advantageously an article of increased weight can be supported stably. 
     Seventh Embodiment 
     Now, a seventh embodiment of the present invention is described. 
     The seventh embodiment is an article attaching apparatus  10  which uses three suction cup devices  14  and includes a frame  12  in the form of a single disk. 
       FIGS. 20 and 21  show the article attaching apparatus  10  according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 20 and 21 , the frame  12  has a form of a disk of a uniform thickness and has three screw fitting holes  1202  formed therein in an equally spaced relationship from each other on a circumference centered at the center of the frame  12 . Further, the frame  12  has a hole  1210  formed at the center thereof. 
     Similarly as in the first embodiment, each of the screw fitting holes  1202  is formed with an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the screw thread of the male thread portion  36  but smaller than the profile of the nuts  44 . Further, each screw fitting hole  1202  is formed with a dimension with which the male thread portion  36  can be tilted in the screw fitting hole  1202 . 
     A male thread portion  36  of a suction cup device  14  is fitted in each of the three screw fitting holes  1202 , and the frame  12  is held by and between a pair of nuts  44  screwed on the male thread portion  36  of the suction cup device  14  to connect the suction cup device  14  to the frame  12 . 
     Meanwhile, a stem portion  4602  of an article connecting member  46  is fitted in the hole  1210  of the frame  12 , and a female thread member  4608  is used to connect the article connecting member  46  to the frame  12 . 
     With the configuration described above, the load applied to the frame  12  can be supported dispersedly by the three suction cup devices  14 . 
     Further, where portions of the attaching object face  2  to which the attaching faces  24  of the suction cups  16  of the suction cup devices  14  are attached by suction exhibit an offset or difference therebetween in a direction perpendicular to the planes of the attaching object face  2 , the heightwise position of the nuts  44  screwed on the male thread portions  36  is adjusted. By this, an article can be attached to the attaching object face  2  by the article attaching apparatus  10  stably in a state where the frame  12  and the portions of the attaching object face  2  extend in parallel to each other similarly as in the case of the third embodiment. 
     On the other hand, where the attaching object face  2  is a curved face, since the male thread portions  36  project in a direction perpendicular to the curved face, it is impossible to connect the three male thread portions  36  to each other in the past. However, with the article attaching apparatus  10  according to the present embodiment, since the male thread portions  36  of the suction cup devices  14  can be tilted within the screw fitting holes  1202  of the frame  12 , the attaching faces  24  of the suction cup devices  14  can be fixed with certainty by suction to the attaching object face  2  in the form of a curved face similarly as in the first embodiment. Further, since the frame  12  is held by and between the nuts  44  screwed on the male thread portions  36 , the article can be supported by the frame  12  in a state where the suction cup devices  14  are fixed with certainty by suction to the attaching object face  2  in the form of a curved face. 
     Accordingly, the article can be attached stably to the attaching object face  2  in the form of a curved face by the article attaching apparatus  10 . 
     On the other hand, where a single suction cup  16  is to be fixed to the attaching object face  2  in the form of a curved face by suction, it is necessary for the suction cup  16  of the suction cup device  14  to be deformed following up the curvature of the attaching object face  2 , as shown in  FIGS. 22A and 22B . 
     Therefore, although the curvature of the attaching object face  2  which can be fixed by the suction cup  16  by suction must be increased as the diameter of the suction cup  16  increases, where the suction cup  16  has a large diameter and can support a high load, it is disadvantageous in that it cannot be fixed to the attaching object face  2  of a low curvature by suction. 
     In contrast, with the article attaching apparatus  10  of the seventh embodiment, a plurality of suction cup devices  14  having suction cups  16  of a small diameter which can follow up the curvature of the attaching object face  2  are connected to the frame  12  as seen in  FIGS. 22C and 22D . 
     Thus, where the attaching object face  2  has a form of a curved face, since the male thread portions  36  project in a direction perpendicular to the curved face, it is impossible to connect the three male thread portions to each other in the past. However, with the article attaching apparatus  10  according to the present embodiment, since the male thread portions  36  of the suction cup devices  14  can be tilted within the screw fitting holes  1202  of the frame  12 , the attaching faces  24  of the suction cup devices  14  can be fixed with certainty by suction to the attaching object face  2  in the form of a curved face similarly as in the first embodiment. Further, since the frame  12  is held by and between the nuts  44  screwed on the male thread portions  36 , the article can be supported by the frame  12  in a state where the suction cup devices  14  are fixed with certainty by suction to the attaching object face  2  in the form of a curved face. 
     Therefore, even where the attaching object face  2  has a small curvature, the suction cups  16  can be fixed stably and with certainty to the attaching object face  2  by suction, and the load can be supported dispersedly by the plural suction cups  16 . 
     Accordingly, the article attaching apparatus  10  of the seventh embodiment is advantageous in that, even to the attaching object face  2  of a small curvature, it can attach an article of a heavy weight stably and with certainty. 
     It is to be noted that also the first to sixth embodiments naturally achieve advantages similar to those achieved by the seventh embodiment. 
     It is to be noted that, while, in the first to seventh embodiments described above, the male thread portion  36  is provided on the case, the male thread portion  36  may otherwise be provided on the center stem  18 . 
     In this instance, the male thread portion  36  is provided at a portion of the center stem which is remote from the central portion of the back face of the suction cup and is exposed from the case as the center stem extends through the case. 
     Also such a suction cup device and an article attaching apparatus wherein the male thread portion  36  is provided on the center stem  18  as described above achieve similar advantages to those achieved by the first to seventh embodiments. 
     Eighth Embodiment 
     Now, an eighth embodiment of the present invention is described. 
     While, in the first to seventh embodiments described above, the male thread portion  36  is formed on the case  20  which covers the rear face  26  of the suction cup  16 , according to the eighth embodiment, the male thread portion  36  is formed on the center stem  18  of the suction cup  16 . 
       FIGS. 23 and 24  show the suction cup device  14  according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 23 and 24 , the suction cup device  14  includes a suction cup  16  and a center stem  18 . 
     One of the opposite faces of the suction cup  16  in the thicknesswise direction is formed as an attaching face  24  while the other face is formed as a rear face  26  of a convex configuration. 
     The suction cup  16  is made of a synthetic resin material having elasticity, and, for example, urethane-based materials, styrene-based materials, silicon resin-based materials and various elastic materials known in the past which are used for existing suction cups can be used as the synthetic resin material. 
     A piece portion  16 A for being operated to detach the suction cup  16  is provided on an outer edge of the suction cup  16  such that it extends in a diametrically outward direction of the suction cup  16 . 
     Meanwhile, for the attaching face  24 , various configurations known in the past can be adopted. 
     For example, similarly as in the first embodiment, the suction cup  16  may include, for example, a suction cup body  28  in the form of a disk which forms the rear face  26  and a gel layer  30  which forms the attaching face  24  as seen in  FIG. 24 . 
     The center stem  18  is provided at a central portion of the rear face  26  of the suction cup  16  and extends in a direction away from the rear face  26 . 
     The male thread portion  36  is provided on the center stem  18 . 
     Also in the eighth embodiment, similarly as in the seventh embodiment, the frame  12  which is connected to an article and has a screw fitting hole  1202  formed therein which allows the male thread portion  36  to be fitted therein and allows tilting movement of the male thread portion  36  fitted therein and the nuts  44  are used to form the article attaching apparatus  10 . 
     In particular, the male thread portion  36  is fitted in the screw fitting hole  1202  and a portion of the frame  12  is held by and between the nuts  44  screwed on the male thread portion  36  with the frame  12  positioned therebetween to connect the suction cup device  14  to the frame  12 . 
     Consequently, the frame  12  and the article connecting member  46  are attached to the attaching object face  2  through a plurality of suction cup devices  14 , and by connecting the article connecting member  46  to an article, the article is attached to the attaching object face  2  through the frame  12  and the plural suction cup devices  14 . 
     Also by the eighth embodiment of the present invention, similar advantages to those achieved by the first to seventh embodiments are achieved. 
     Ninth Embodiment 
     Now, a ninth embodiment of the present invention is described. 
     The ninth embodiment is a modification to but is different from the eighth embodiment in that the suction cup device  14  includes a suction cup body  28 , a spring member  50 , and a center stem  18 . 
       FIGS. 25 and 26  show the suction cup device  14  according to the ninth embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 25 and 26 , the suction cup body  28  has at least one face formed from gel and serving as an attaching face  24 . 
     The spring member  50  is provided in the suction cup body  28  and has a concave shape such that the attaching face  24  has a concave shape. The spring member  50  is formed from an elastically deformable material which biases the center of the attaching face  24  in a direction away from the attaching object face  2  in a state where the attaching face  24  is fixed to the attaching object face  2  by suction. 
     In the present embodiment, the spring member  50  is formed from a material having an elastic modulus higher than that of natural rubber and synthetic rubber. 
     It is to be noted that the suction cup  16  is composed of the suction cup body  28  and the spring member  50 . 
     The center stem  18  is provided at a central portion of the rear face  26  of the suction cup  16  and extends in a direction away from the rear face  26 . 
     The male thread portion  36  is provided on the center stem  18 . 
     It is to be noted that the center stem  18  can be attached by various methods. 
     For example, the center stem  18  may be attached such that a female thread member  52  having a female thread thereon is embedded in the suction cup body  28  made of gel and then the tubular center stem  18  having the male thread portion  36  is attached to the female thread member  52  by means of a screw  54  screwed on the male thread portion  36 . 
     Or, the center stem  18  may be attached such that a lower end of the center stem  18  is coupled to the spring member  50  and the center stem  18 , suction cup body  28  and spring member  50  are molded integrally as seen in  FIGS. 27 and 29 . 
     Also in the ninth embodiment, similarly as in the first to seventh embodiments, the frame  12  which is connected to an article and has a screw fitting hole  1202  formed therein which allows the male thread portion  36  to be fitted therein and allows tilting movement of the male thread portion  36  fitted therein and the nuts  44  are used to form the article attaching apparatus  10 . 
     In particular, the male thread portion  36  is fitted in the screw fitting hole  1202  and a portion of the frame  12  is held by and between the nuts  44  screwed on the male thread portion  36  with the frame  12  positioned therebetween to connect the suction cup device  14  to the frame  12 . 
     Consequently, the frame  12  and the article connecting member  46  are attached to the attaching object face  2  through a plurality of suction cup devices  14 , and by connecting the article connecting member  46  to an article, the article is attached to the attaching object face  2  through the frame  12  and the plural suction cup devices  14 . 
     Also by the ninth embodiment of the present invention, similar advantages to those achieved by the first to seventh embodiments are achieved. 
     It is to be noted that the article to be supported by the article attaching apparatus  10  is not limited to a vehicle-carried article, an image pickup apparatus, a hanger or the like but may assume various article forms. 
     It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factor in so far as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.