Patent Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a suction cup, including: a suction cup body formed from gel and having at least one flat or convex face serving as a suction face; a shape retaining member provided on the suction cup body and having elasticity for restoring, when the suction cup body is deformed, the suction cup body so as to restore an original shape; and a center stem connected to the suction cup body and projecting from a portion of the suction cup body positioned remotely from a location of the suction cup body at which the suction face is provided in a direction intersecting with the center of the suction face.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present invention contains subject matter related to Japanese Patent Application JP 2007-072505 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Mar. 20, 2007, the entire contents of which being incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to a suction cup and a suction cup device. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    A suction cup is in the past known which is used to attach an article to a wall face indoors or a dashboard of an automobile. 
         [0006]    In the past, a suction cup of the type mentioned is formed as a disk made of rubber or the like, and one of faces thereof in the thicknesswise direction serves as a suction face for attracting an attaching object face while the other face thereof serves as the back face. 
         [0007]    The suction cup is attracted to an attaching object face if a central portion is pressed down toward the attaching object face with the suction face thereof opposed to the attaching object face. Thereupon, the space between the suction face and the attaching object face is placed into a substantially vacuum state, and the vacuum state is maintained by the elastic force of the suction cup (refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 11-193811). 
         [0008]    Meanwhile, where the attaching object face is formed as a leather-emboss face or as a fine uneven face or otherwise as a rough face, the close contactness between the suction face and the attaching object face cannot be maintained, and a gap is formed between the suction face and the attaching object face. Therefore, it is difficult to assure the close contactness by the suction cup. 
         [0009]    Therefore, the assignee of the present application proposed a suction cup which can be closely contacted with the attaching object face even where the attaching object face is formed as a leather-emboss face or as a fine uneven face or else as a rough face. The suction face of the suction cup is formed from a gel layer. The suction cup mentioned is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-116359. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    On the other hand, since the gel does not have elasticity and the gel itself cannot maintain its shape, in the suction cup which uses the gel layer described above, the gel layer is attached to an attaching face of the suction cup formed from rubber or the like. 
         [0011]    Therefore, the suction cup has a thickness equal to the sum of the thickness of the gel layer and the thickness of a conventional suction cup and is disadvantageous in that it has an increased size. 
         [0012]    Therefore, it is demanded to provide a suction cup and a suction cup device which can be closely attached to an attaching object face even where the attaching object face is formed as a leather-emboss face or as a fine uneven face or else as a rough face without increasing the size. 
         [0013]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a suction cup comprising a suction cup body formed from gel and having at least one flat or convex face serving as a suction face, a shape retaining member provided on the suction cup body and having elasticity for restoring, when the suction cup body is deformed, the suction cup body so as to restore an original shape thereof, and a center stem connected to the suction cup body and projecting from a portion of the suction cup body positioned remotely from a location of the suction cup body at which the suction face is provided in a direction intersecting with the center of the suction face. 
         [0014]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a suction cup device comprising a suction cup, an attaching base, and a displacement mechanism, the suction cup including a suction cup body formed from gel and having at least one flat or convex face serving as a suction face, a shape retaining member provided on the suction cup body and having elasticity for restoring, when the suction cup body is deformed, the suction cup body so as to restore an original shape thereof, and a center stem connected to the suction cup body and projecting from a back face of the suction cup body positioned remotely from a location of the suction cup body at which the suction face is provided in a direction intersecting with the center of the suction face, the attaching base having an attaching portion to which an article is to be attached, and a contacting portion capable of contacting with an outer circumferential portion of the back face of the suction cup body or with an attaching object face to which the suction face is attracted on the outer side with respect to the back face, the displacement mechanism being provided between the attaching base and the center stem in such a manner as to displace the center stem in a direction away from the suction face in a state wherein the suction face contacts closely with the attaching object face and the contracting portion contacts with the outer circumferential portion of the back face of the suction cup body or with the attaching object face to which the suction face is attracted on the outer side with respect to the back face. 
         [0015]    With the suction cup and the suction cup device, since the portion of the suction cup including the suction face is formed from gel, not only where the attaching object face is formed as a flat face, but also where the attaching object face is formed as a leather-emboss face or as a fine uneven face or else as a rough face, the suction face deforms following up the convex and concave configuration. Consequently, the suction face can be closely attached to the uneven face or rough face without the intervention of a gap between the suction face and the uneven face. This is advantageous where it is tried to attach various articles with certainty to the attaching object face such as a leather-emboss face of a dashboard panel or the like. 
         [0016]    Further, since the suction cup is not configured such that a gel layer made of gel is stacked on a suction cup body made of rubber but is configured such that the entire suction cup body including the suction face is formed from gel while the shape retaining member is provided simultaneously on the suction cup body to raise the retentivity of the shape of the suction cup body, the suction cup can be formed without increasing the thickness thereof, that is, without increasing the scale thereof. This is advantageous where it is tried to achieve miniaturization of the suction cup  22 . 
         [0017]    The above and other objects, 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 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electronic apparatus in which a suction cup device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the electronic apparatus of  FIG. 1  but as viewed in a different direction; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the electronic apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a view of the electronic apparatus of  FIG. 1  as viewed in a direction indicated by an arrow mark A of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a view of the electronic apparatus of  FIG. 1  as viewed in a direction indicated by an arrow mark B of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a view of the electronic apparatus of  FIG. 1  as viewed in a direction indicated by an arrow mark C of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of the suction cup device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of the suction cup device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9A  is a cross sectional view showing the suction cup device of  FIG. 7  in a non-attached state and  FIG. 9B  is a similar view but showing the suction cup device in an attached state; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the suction cup device of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  are a perspective view and a plan view, respectively, of the suction cup device of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view showing a modified form of the suction cup device of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 13A  is a plan view of a shape retaining member for a suction cup according to a second embodiment of the present invention and  FIG. 13B  is a perspective view of a suction cup including the shape retaining member of  FIG. 13A ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 14A  is a plan view of a shape retaining member for a suction cup according to a third embodiment of the present invention and  FIG. 14B  is a perspective view of a suction cup including the shape retaining member of  FIG. 14A ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 15A  is a plan view of a shape retaining member for a suction cup according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention and  FIG. 15B  is a perspective view of a suction cup including the shape retaining member of  FIG. 15A ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 16A  is a plan view of a shape retaining member for a suction cup according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention and  FIG. 16B  is a perspective view of a suction cup including the shape retaining member of  FIG. 16A ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 17A  is a plan view of a shape retaining member for a suction cup according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention and  FIG. 17B  is a perspective view of a suction cup including the shape retaining member of  FIG. 17A ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 18  is a cross sectional view showing a suction cup device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention in a non-attached state; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 19  is a cross sectional view showing a suction cup device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention in a non-attached state. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
       [0037]    Referring first to  FIGS. 1 to 6 , there is shown an electronic apparatus which includes an electronic apparatus  10  according to a first embodiment of the present invention is incorporated. 
         [0038]    The electronic apparatus  10  includes an apparatus body  12  and a suction cup device  20  according to the present invention. 
         [0039]    The apparatus body  12  is a display panel, for example, of a car navigation system or a television apparatus disposed on a dashboard within a cabin or a windshield of an automobile. 
         [0040]    The apparatus body  12  includes a housing  14  in the form of a rectangular plate, and a display apparatus  16 . 
         [0041]    The display apparatus  16  is formed from a in the past known display apparatus such as a liquid crystal display apparatus or an organic EL display apparatus, and has a display screen  16 A for displaying an image thereon. 
         [0042]    The display screen  16 A is incorporated in the housing  14  such that it is exposed forwardly through an opening provided on a front face  1402  of the housing  14 . 
         [0043]    The housing  14  is connected at a back face  1404  thereof to the suction cup device  20 . 
         [0044]    The suction cup device  20  includes a suction cup  22 , an attaching base  24 , and a displacement mechanism  26  (refer to  FIG. 9A ). 
         [0045]    The suction cup  22  includes a suction cup body  28 , a shape retaining member  30 , and a center stem  32 . 
         [0046]    The suction cup body  28  is made of gel and has a form of a plate as seen in  FIG. 10 . Particularly, in the present embodiment, the suction cup body  28  has a disk-like shape, and one of the opposite faces thereof in the thicknesswise direction is formed as a flattened suction face  34  while the other face is formed as a flattened back face  36 . 
         [0047]    For the gel mentioned above, synthetic resin-based gels such as polyethylene-based, styrene-based and silicon resin-based gels can be used. Further, as the polyethylene-base gel, for example, “COSMO SUPER GEL” by Cosmo Instruments Co., Ltd. which is an article on the market can be used. As the styrene-based gel, for example, “NAGFLEX” by Inoac Corporation which is an article on the market can be used. As the silicon-based gel, for example, “aGEL” (alpha gel) by GELTEC Co., Ltd. which is an article on the market can be used. 
         [0048]    Though not shown, a piece portion for removing operation is provided on an outer edge of the suction cup body  28  such that it extends in a diametrically outward direction. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 9A , the center stem  32  extends in a direction away from the back face  36  along the axis of the suction face  34  from a central portion of the back face  36  of the suction cup body  28 . 
         [0050]    The center stem  32  is formed from a metal or a hard synthetic resin and has a flange  3202  in the form of a disk at a lower end thereof. The flange  3202  has a diameter greater than that of a stem portion of the center stem  32  and is embedded in a central portion of the suction cup body  28 . 
         [0051]    The shape retaining member  30  is provided to raise the retentivity of the shape of the suction cup body  28 . In particular, since the suction cup body  28  is made of gel and the gel does not have the retentivity of the shape, the suction cup body  28  deforms into an arbitrary shape when it is not attached or used. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the suction cup body  28  is provided with the shape retaining member  30  so that the retentivity of the shape of the suction cup body  28  is raised to enhance the convenience in use of the suction cup device  20 . For the shape retaining member  30 , for example, a thin bar member or a thin plate member made of metal having no elasticity, a thin bar member or a thin plate member made of a metal material or a non-metal material having elasticity or a like member may be used. 
         [0052]    In the present embodiment, for the shape retaining member  30 , a material having elasticity for biasing, when the suction cup body  28  is deformed, the suction cup body  28  in a direction in which the suction cup body  28  restores its original shape other than rubber is used so that, when the suction cup device  20  is not used, the suction cup body  28  may restore or keep its original shape to enhance the convenience in use of the suction cup device  20 . 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIGS. 9A and 10 , the shape retaining member  30  has a central portion positioned at a central portion of the suction cup body  28  and having a shape of a disk corresponding to the suction cup body  28  and extending on a plane, and an annular portion positioned at a remaining annular portion of the suction cup body  28  other than the central portion. It is to be noted that, since, in the present embodiment, the flange  3202  is positioned at a central portion of the suction cup body  28 , the shape retaining member  30  may have only the annular portion positioned on the remaining annular portion of the suction cup body  28  other than the central portion. 
         [0054]    The shape retaining member  30  is formed from a net-like member formed from thin bar members or thin wire members having elasticity and braided into a net. 
         [0055]    For such a shape retaining member  30  as described above, for example, a metal material such as, for example, stainless steel can be adopted. Or, a nonmetal material such as a carbon material or a fiber-reinforced plastic material can be adopted. The materials mentioned are higher in hardness and modulus of elasticity than natural rubber and synthetic rubber of which conventional suction cups are made. Where the shape retaining member  30  is made of any of the materials mentioned, it can be made with a reduced thickness when compared with that which is made of natural rubber or synthetic rubber of which conventional suction cups are made. This is advantageous where it is tried to reduce the thickness of the suction cup  22 . 
         [0056]    The shape retaining member  30  is embedded in the inside of the suction cup body  28  as seen in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , and the lower face of the flange  3202  of the center stem  32  and a central portion of the shape retaining member  30  are connected to each other as seen in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the attaching base  24  receives an article to be attached to an attaching object face  2  through the suction cup  22  which is attracted to the attaching object face  2 . 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIG. 9B , the attaching base  24  has a flat circular central portion  2402 , a curved portion  2404  provided around the central portion  2402 , and an attaching portion  2410 , and has a shape convex in a direction away from the suction cup body  28 . 
         [0059]    In the present embodiment, the attaching portion  2410  is formed from an arm provided so as to project from a location on the boundary between the central portion  2402  and the curved portion  2404 . The arm or attaching portion  2410  is connected at an end thereof to the back face  1404  of the housing  14  as seen in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 . 
         [0060]    In the present embodiment, an outer circumference of the curved portion  2404  serves as a contacting portion  24 A which can contact with an outer circumferential portion of the back face  36  of the suction cup body  28 . 
         [0061]    It is to be noted that the contacting portion  24 A may otherwise be formed for contact with the attaching object face  2  to which the suction face  34  is attracted on the outer side of the suction face  34  as seen in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the displacement mechanism  26  is provided between the attaching base  24  and the center stem  32  such that it displaces the center stem  32  in a direction away from the suction face  34  in a state wherein the suction face  34  contacts closely with the attaching object face  2  and the contacting portion  24 A contacts with the outer circumference of the back face  36  of the suction cup  22  or with the attaching object face  2  to which the suction face  34  is attracted on the outer side with respect to the back face  36 . 
         [0063]    In the present embodiment, the displacement mechanism  26  includes a lock lever  38 . 
         [0064]    The lock lever  38  has a handle  40  and a cam  42 . The handle  40  is connected at a base portion thereof for rocking motion to an upper end of the center stem  32  through a pivot  4002 . 
         [0065]    The cam  42  has a first cam portion  42 A and a second cam portion  42   b.    
         [0066]      FIG. 9A  shows the handle  40  in an upright state, in which the first cam portion  42 A contacts with the central portion  2402  of the attaching base  24 . In this state, the suction cup body  28  exhibits a form of a flat plate, and the contacting portion  24 A of the attaching base  24  contacts with the outer circumference of the back face  36  of the suction cup  22 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 9B  shows the handle  40  in a pivoted down state, in which the second cam portion  42   b  contacts with the central portion  2402  of the attaching base  24 . In this state, the center stem  32  is compulsorily displaced in a direction away from the suction face  34 . 
         [0068]    Now, action and effects of the suction cup device  20  are described. 
         [0069]    The handle  40  is placed into the upright state, and the suction cup body  28  is pressed against the attaching object face  2  with the suction face  34  thereof opposed to the attaching object face  2  so that the suction face  34  and the attaching object face  2  are closely contacted with each other. 
         [0070]    Then, the handle  40  is placed into the pivoted down state. Thereupon, since the contacting portion  24 A remains in contact with the outer circumference of the back face  36  of the suction cup  22 , the center stem  32  is displaced in a direction away from the suction face  34 , whereupon the central portion  2402  of the suction cup body  28  is displaced away from the attaching object face  2  to place the space between the suction face  34  and the attaching object face  2  into a vacuum state thereby to raise the close contactness of the suction cup body  28  with the attaching object face  2 . Consequently, the apparatus body  12  is attracted in a stable state to the attaching object face  2 . 
         [0071]    Accordingly, with the suction cup device  20  of the present embodiment, since the suction cup body  28  is formed from gel, not only where the attaching object face  2  is a flat face, but also where the attaching object face  2  is formed as a leather-emboss face or as a fine uneven face or else as a rough face, the suction face  34  deforms following up the uneven configuration of the attaching object face  2 . Consequently, the suction face  34  can be closely attached to the uneven face or rough face without the intervention of a gap between the suction face  34  and the uneven face. This is advantageous where it is tried to attach various articles with certainty to the attaching object face such as a leather-emboss face of a dashboard panel or the like. 
         [0072]    Further, since the suction cup  22  is not configured such that a gel layer made of gel is stacked on a suction cup body made of rubber but is configured such that the entire suction cup body  28  including the suction face  34  is formed from gel while the shape retaining member  30  is provided simultaneously on the suction cup body  28  to raise the retentivity of the shape of the suction cup body  28 , the suction cup  22  can be formed without increasing the thickness thereof, that is, without increasing the scale thereof. This is advantageous where it is tried to achieve miniaturization of the suction cup  22 . 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0073]      FIG. 13A  shows a shape retaining member  30  according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 13B  shows a suction cup  22  in which the shape retaining member  30  is incorporated. 
         [0074]    It is to be noted that the shape retaining member  30  according to the second and other embodiments of the present invention described below is incorporated in the suction cup  22  which is incorporated in the suction cup device  20  and hence in the electronic device  10  described hereinabove with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 6  similarly to the shape retaining member  30  according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, in the description of the second and other embodiments of the present invention, description is given principally of the shape retaining member  30 . 
         [0075]    Referring to  FIGS. 13A and 13B , the shape retaining member  30  according to the second embodiment is formed such that a bar-like member  44  having elasticity which may be formed from a thin wire member or a thin plate member is coiled spirally along a plane parallel to the axis of a suction face  34 . The bar-like member  44  may be made of a material same as that used in the first embodiment. 
         [0076]    Similarly as in the first embodiment, the shape retaining member  30  is connected at a central portion  3002  thereof to the flange  3202  at the lower end of the center stem  32 , and the flange  3202  is embedded in the inside of the suction cup body  28  together with the lower end of the center stem  32 . 
         [0077]    Also with the suction cup  22  in which the shape retaining member  30  according to the second embodiment is used, similar effects to those of the first embodiment are achieved. 
       Third Embodiment 
       [0078]      FIG. 14A  shows a shape retaining member  30  according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 14B  shows a suction cup  22  in which the shape retaining member  30  is incorporated. 
         [0079]    Referring to  FIGS. 14A and 14B , the shape retaining member  30  according to the third embodiment includes a plurality of annular members  46  and a plurality of connecting members  48 . 
         [0080]    The annular members  46  are each formed from a thin wire member or a thin plate member having elasticity and are disposed concentrically on the axis of the suction face  34 . The annular members  46  have different diameters from each other. 
         [0081]    The connecting members  48  are provided at locations spaced from each other in a circumferential direction of the suction cup body  28 , extend radially from a central portion of the suction face  34  toward the outer circumference of the suction cup body  28  and connect the annular members  46 . 
         [0082]    Each of the connecting members  48  has a cutaway portion  48 A at which it does not connect adjacent ones of the annular members  46 . The cutaway portions  48 A are provided so as to adjust the elasticity of the shape retaining member  30 . 
         [0083]    The annular members  46  and the connecting members  48  are made of a material similar to that used in the first embodiment. 
         [0084]    Similarly as in the first embodiment, the shape retaining member  30  is connected at the lower end of the center stem  32  thereof to the flange  3202  of the center stem  32 , and the annular members  46  are connected to the flange  3202  through the connecting members  48 . The shape retaining member  30  is embedded in the inside of the suction cup body  28  together with the lower end of the center stem  32 . 
         [0085]    Also with the suction cup  22  in which the shape retaining member  30  according to the third embodiment described above is used, similar effects to those of the first embodiment are achieved. 
       Fourth Embodiment 
       [0086]      FIG. 15A  shows a shape retaining member  30  according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 15B  shows a suction cup  22  in which the shape retaining member  30  is incorporated. 
         [0087]    Referring to  FIGS. 15A and 15B , the shape retaining member  30  in the fourth embodiment includes a plurality of piece members  50  formed from a thin plate member having elasticity and individually extending radially outwardly from a central portion of the suction cup body  28  toward the outer circumference of the suction cup body  28  along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the suction face  34 . 
         [0088]    Such a plate member having elasticity as just described may be made of a metal material such as, for example, stainless steel or made of a non-metal material such as a carbon material or a fiber-reinforced plastic material. 
         [0089]    Portions of the piece members  50  positioned at the central portion of the suction cup body  28  are connected to the flange  3202  at the lower end of the center stem  32 . 
         [0090]    The shape retaining member  30  is embedded in the inside of the suction cup body  28  together with the lower end of the center stem  32  similarly as in the first embodiment. 
         [0091]    Also with the suction cup  22  in which the shape retaining member  30  according to the fourth embodiment is used, similar effects to those of the first embodiment are achieved. 
       Fifth Embodiment 
       [0092]      FIG. 16A  shows a shape retaining member  30  according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 16B  shows a suction cup  22  in which the shape retaining member  30  is incorporated. 
         [0093]    Referring to  FIGS. 16A and 16B , the shape retaining member  30  in the fifth embodiment is formed from a thin plate member having elasticity and has a piece member  52  extending along a plane parallel to the axis of the suction face  34 . The plate member may be made of a material similar to that in the fourth embodiment. 
         [0094]    The piece member  52  has a plurality of openings  5202  and is formed from a plurality of narrow pieces  5204  of a small width which rim the openings  5202  such that it is generally shaped such that it looks as a kind of flower when it is viewed in plan. 
         [0095]    A portion of the piece member  52  which is positioned at a central portion of the suction cup body  28  is connected to the flange  3202  at the lower end of the center stem  32 . 
         [0096]    The shape retaining member  30  is embedded in the inside of the suction cup body  28  together with the lower end of the center stem  32  similarly as in the first embodiment. 
         [0097]    Also with the suction cup  22  in which the shape retaining member  30  according to the fifth embodiment is used, similar effects to those of the first embodiment are achieved. 
         [0098]    Further, in the present embodiment, if the suction cup body  28  is made of transparent gel, then the shape of the shape retaining member  30  can be visually observed, and this is advantageous when it is tried to enhance the appearance of the suction cup  22 . In this instance, if the shape retaining member  30  is colored, for example, in red, yellow or green, this is further advantageous where it is tried to enhance the appearance of the suction cup  22 . 
       Sixth Embodiment 
       [0099]      FIG. 17A  shows a shape retaining member  30  according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 17B  shows a suction cup  22  in which the shape retaining member  30  is incorporated. 
         [0100]    Referring to  FIGS. 17A and 17B , the shape retaining member  30  according to the sixth embodiment has a piece member  54  formed from a thin plate member extending along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the suction face  34 . The plate member may be made of a material similar to that used in the fourth embodiment described hereinabove. 
         [0101]    The piece member  54  has a plurality of openings  5402  and is formed from a plurality of narrow pieces  5404  of a small width which define the openings  5402  such that it is generally shaped such that it looks as a geometrical pattern when it is viewed in plan. 
         [0102]    A portion of the piece member  54  positioned at a central portion of the suction cup body  28  is connected to the flange  3202  at the lower end of the center stem  32 . 
         [0103]    The shape retaining member  30  is embedded in the inside of the suction cup body  28  together with the lower end of the center stem  32  similarly as in the first embodiment. 
         [0104]    Also with the suction cup  22  in which the shape retaining member  30  according to the sixth embodiment is used, similar effects to those of the first embodiment are achieved. 
         [0105]    Further, also in the present embodiment, if the suction cup body  28  is made of transparent gel, then the shape of the shape retaining member  30  can be visually observed similarly as in the fifth embodiment described hereinabove, and this is advantageous when it is tried to enhance the appearance of the suction cup  22 . In this instance, if the shape retaining member  30  is colored, for example, in red, yellow or green, this is further advantageous where it is tried to enhance the appearance of the suction cup  22 . 
       Seventh Embodiment 
       [0106]      FIG. 18  shows a suction cup device  20  according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention which is in a non-attached state. 
         [0107]    Referring to  FIG. 18 , the shape retaining member  30  according to the seventh embodiment is formed similarly to that in the first embodiment, and the flange  3202  at the lower end of the center stem  32  and the shape retaining member  30  formed from a net-like member are attached to the back face  36  of the suction cup body  28 . 
         [0108]    Also with the suction cup  22  in which the shape retaining member  30  according to the seventh embodiment is used, similar effects to those of the first embodiment are achieved. 
         [0109]    It is to be noted that the state wherein the shape retaining member  30  is attached to the back face  36  of the suction cup body  28  includes both of a state wherein the shape retaining member  30  is attached to the surface of the back face  36  of the suction cup body  28  and another state wherein the shape retaining member  30  is embedded in the inside of the back face  36  of the suction cup body  28 . 
       Eighth Embodiment 
       [0110]      FIG. 19  shows a suction cup device  20  according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention which is in a non-attached state. 
         [0111]    Referring to  FIG. 19 , the suction cup device  20  is used so as to be attracted to an attaching object face  2  which has a concave spherical face. To this end, the suction face  34  of the suction cup device  20  is formed as a convex spherical face conforming to the shape of the attaching object face  2 . 
         [0112]    The shape retaining member  30  extends along the convex spherical plane conforming to the shape of the attaching object face  2 . Consequently, the suction face  34  of the suction cup body  28  exhibits a spherical plane conforming to the shape of the attaching object face  2 . 
         [0113]    With the suction cup  22  in which the shape retaining member  30  according to the eighth embodiment is used, similar effects to those of the first embodiment are achieved. Besides, the suction cup  22  can be advantageously used when it is attracted to the attaching object face  2  having a concave spherical phase. 
         [0114]    It is to be noted that it is only necessary for the shape of the suction face  34  to correspond to the shape of the attaching object face  2  and the shape of the suction face  34  may be arbitrarily set to a concave spherical shape, a convex cylindrical shape or a concave cylindrical shape. In such an instance, the shape retaining member  30  may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the suction face  34 . 
         [0115]    It is to be noted that the attaching base is not limited to that of the embodiments described hereinabove but may be any of various in the past known structures. 
         [0116]    Further, the displacement mechanism can be configured arbitrarily. For example, the displacement mechanism may be formed from a single coil spring interposed between the attaching base and the center stem for biasing the center stem in a direction away from the suction face. Thus, various in the past known structures can be adopted for the displacement mechanism. 
         [0117]    While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purpose only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims. 
         [0118]    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.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5