US4736855A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Display apparatus
Assignee: Arakawa and Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1986-10-23
•
Granted: 1988-04-12
•
Expires: 2006-10-23
Abstract
Abstract Display apparatus having a rail fixable on a stationary structure and provided with a groove, a sliding member fittable in the rail groove and slidable therealong, a wire or cord coupled to the sliding member, a gripping member through which the wire or cord passes, a supporting hook connected to an end of the wire or cord remote from the gripping member, and a second rail having a groove for receiving the hook such that the wire or cord is coupled to the second rail and is tensioned when installed. The gripping member through which the wire or cord passes, comprises a hollow member having an inner tapered surface, a sleeve member having a passage formed therein for the wire or cord and situated within the hollow member to be freely slidable with respect thereto with at least a portion of the sleeve member projecting out from the hollow member, and at least one ball captured in the sleeve member seating against the tapered inner surface of the hollow member and communicating with the passage. A spring urges the sleeve member in a direction in which the inner surface of the hollow member tapers.
Inventors
- 👤 Hideo Arakawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:34
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47F; A47F5/00; A47F5/08; A47B; A47B43/00; A47B43/003; A47B43/006; A47B57/00; A47B57/30; A47B57/54; A47B57/56; A47B57/567; A47F5/0892; A47G; A47G1/00; A47G1/16; A47G1/1686; E; E04; E04H; E04H1/00; E04H1/12; E04H1/1272; F; F16; F16G; F16G11/00; F16G11/10; F16G11/105; F16G11/108; G; G09; G09F; G09F15/00; G09F15/0068
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
257 words
Display apparatus, comprising a first rail fixable on a stationary structure and provided with a groove, a sliding member fittable in said first rail groove and slidable therealong, a wire or cord coupled to said sliding member, a gripping member through which said wire or cord passes, comprising a hollow member having an inner tapered surface, a sleeve member having a passage formed therein for said wire or cord and being situated within said hollow member and freely slidable with respect thereto, at least a portion of said sleeve member projecting out from said hollow member, at least one ball captured in said sleeve member seating against said tapered inner surface of said hollow member and communicating with said passage, and spring means for urging said sleeve member in said hollow member in the direction in which said inner surface thereof tapers, said apparatus additionally comprising a supporting hook conneted to an end of said wire or cord remote from said gripping member, means for tensioning said wire or cord, a second rail having a groove for receiving said supporting hook such that said wire or cord is coupled to said second rail and tensioned when installed, and a second gripping member through which said wire or cord passes, said second gripping member positioned remote from said first gripping member, wherein said second gripping member comprises means for connecting the same to said tensioning means, and wherein said tensioning means are constituted by at least one spring interconnecting said second gripping member connecting means and said hook.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
257 words
Display apparatus, comprising a first rail fixable on a stationary structure and provided with a groove, a sliding member fittable in said first rail groove and slidable therealong, a wire or cord coupled to said sliding member, a gripping member through which said wire or cord passes, comprising a hollow member having an inner tapered surface, a sleeve member having a passage formed therein for said wire or cord and being situated within said hollow member and freely slidable with respect thereto, at least a portion of said sleeve member projecting out from said hollow member, at least one ball captured in said sleeve member seating against said tapered inner surface of said hollow member and communicating with said passage, and spring means for urging said sleeve member in said hollow member in the direction in which said inner surface thereof tapers, said apparatus additionally comprising a supporting hook conneted to an end of said wire or cord remote from said gripping member, means for tensioning said wire or cord, a second rail having a groove for receiving said supporting hook such that said wire or cord is coupled to said second rail and tensioned when installed, and a second gripping member through which said wire or cord passes, said second gripping member positioned remote from said first gripping member, wherein said second gripping member comprises means for connecting the same to said tensioning means, and wherein said tensioning means are constituted by at least one spring interconnecting said second gripping member connecting means and said hook.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first rail is an upper rail and said second rail is a lower rail.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first rail is a lower rail and said second rail is an upper rail.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first rail additionally comprises a projection extending in a direction away from said groove receiving said sliding member, and a second groove situated on said first rail between said projection and said groove receiving said sliding member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 4, additionally comprising a cover mounted over said second groove of said first rail.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
106 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second gripping member also comprises a hollow member having an inner tapered surface, a sleeve member having a passage formed therein for said wire or cord and being situated within said hollow member and freely slidable with respect thereto, at least a portion of said sleeve member projecting out from said hollow member, at least one ball captured in said sleeve member seating against said inner tapered surface of said hollow member and communicating with said passage, and spring means for urging said sleeve member in said hollow member in the direction in which said inner surface thereof tapers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tensioning means are constituted by two tension spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising at least one intermediate gripping member through which said wire or cord passes, said intermediate gripping member comprising means for positioning the same along said wire or cord, and means for retaining a display item thereon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
98 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said positioning means of said intermediate gripping member also comprises a hollow member having an inner tapered surface, a sleeve member having a passage formed therein for said wire or cord and being situated within said hollow member and freely projecting out from said hollow member, at least one ball captured in said sleeve member seating against said tapered inner surface of said hollow member and communicating with said passage, and spring means for urging said sleeve member in said hollow member in the direction in which said inner surface thereof tapers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said retaining means are constituted by a circumferential flange extending around said intermediate gripping member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
256 words
Display apparatus, comprising a first rail fixable on a stationary structure and provided with a groove, a sliding member fittable in said first rail groove and slidable therealong, a wire or cord coupled to said sliding member, a gripping member through which said wire or cord passes, comprising a hollow member having an inner tapered surface, a sleeve member having a passage formed therein for said wire or cord and being situated within said hollow member and freely slidable with respect thereto, at least a portion of said sleeve member projecting out from said hollow member, at least one ball captured in said sleeve member seating against said tapered inner surface of said hollow member and communicating with said passage, and spring means for urging said sleeve member in said hollow member in the direction in which said inner surface thereof tapers, said apparatus additionally comprising a supporting hook connected to an end of said wire or cord remote from said gripping member, means for tensioning said wire or cord, a second rail having a groove for receiving said supporting hook such that said wire or cord is coupled to said second rail and tensioned when installed, and a second gripping member through which said wire or cord passes, said second gripping member positioned remote from said first gripping member, wherein said second gripping member comprises means for connecting the same to said tensioning means, and wherein said tensioning means are constituted by a turn buckle interconnecting said second gripping member connecting means and said hook.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
256 words
Display apparatus, comprising a first rail fixable on a stationary structure and provided with a groove, a sliding member fittable in said first rail groove and slidable therealong, a wire or cord coupled to said sliding member, a gripping member through which said wire or cord passes, comprising a hollow member having an inner tapered surface, a sleeve member having a passage formed therein for said wire or cord and being situated within said hollow member and freely slidable with respect thereto, at least a portion of said sleeve member projecting out from said hollow member, at least one ball captured in said sleeve member seating against said tapered inner surface of said hollow member and communicating with said passage, and spring means for urging said sleeve member in said hollow member in the direction in which said inner surface thereof tapers, said apparatus additionally comprising a supporting hook connected to an end of said wire or cord remote from said gripping member, means for tensioning said wire or cord, a second rail having a groove for receiving said supporting hook such that said wire or cord is coupled to said second rail and tensioned when installed, and a second gripping member through which said wire or cord passes, said second gripping member positioned remote from said first gripping member, wherein said second gripping member comprises means for connecting the same to said tensioning means, and wherein said tensioning means are constituted by a turn buckle interconnecting said second gripping member connecting means and said hook.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
243 words
Display apparatus, comprising a first rail fixable on a stationary structure and provided with a groove, a sliding member fittable in said first rail groove and slidable therealong, a wire or cord coupled to said sliding member, a gripping member through which said wire or cord passes, comprising a hollow member having an inner tapered surface, a sleeve member having a passage formed therein for said wire or cord and being situated within said hollow member and freely slidable with respect thereto, at least a portion of said sleeve member projecting out from said hollow member, at least one ball captured in said sleeve member seating against said tapered inner surface of said hollow member and communicating with said passage, and spring means for urging said sleeve member in said hollow member in the direction in which said inner surface thereof tapers, said apparatus additionally comprising a supporting hook connected to an end of said wire or cord remote from said gripping member, means for tensioning said wire or cord, a second rail having a groove for receiving said supporting hook such that said wire or cord is coupled to said second rail and tensioned when installed, and at least one intermediate gripping member through which said wire or cord passes, said intermediate gripping member comprising means for positioning the same along said wire or cord, and means for retaining a display item thereon, wherein said retaining means are constituted by a hook.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
243 words
Display apparatus, comprising a first rail fixable on a stationary structure and provided with a groove, a sliding member fittable in said first rail groove and slidable therealong, a wire or cord coupled to said sliding member, a gripping member through which said wire or cord passes, comprising a hollow member having an inner tapered surface, a sleeve member having a passage formed therein for said wire or cord and being situated within said hollow member and freely slidable with respect thereto, at least a portion of said sleeve member projecting out from said hollow member, at least one ball captured in said sleeve member seating against said tapered inner surface of said hollow member and communicating with said passage, and spring means for urging said sleeve member in said hollow member in the direction in which said inner surface thereof tapers, said apparatus additionally comprising a supporting hook connected to an end of said wire or cord remote from said gripping member, means for tensioning said wire or cord, a second rail having a groove for receiving said supporting hook such that said wire or cord is coupled to said second rail and tensioned when installed, and at least one intermediate gripping member through which said wire or cord passes, said intermediate gripping member comprising means for positioning the same along said wire or cord, and means for retaining a display item thereon, wherein said retaining means are constituted by a hook.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
252 words
Display apparatus, comprising a first rail fixable on a stationary structure and provided with a groove, a sliding member fittable in said first rail groove and slidable therealong, a wire or cord coupled to said sliding member, a gripping member through which said wire or cord passes, comprising a hollow member having an inner tapered surface, a sleeve member having a passage formed therein for said wire or cord and being situated within said hollow member and freely slidable with respect thereto, at least a portion of said sleeve member projecting out from said hollow member, at least one all captured in said sleeve member seating against said tapered inner surface of said hollow member and communicating with said passage, and spring means for urging said sleeve member in said hollow member in the direction in which said inner surface thereof tapers; said apparatus additionally comprising a supporting hook connected to an end of said wire or cord remote from said gripping member, means for tensioning said wire or cord, a second rail having a groove for receiving said supporting hook such that said wire or cord is coupled to said second rail and tensioned when installed, and at least one intermediate gripping member through which said wire or cord passes, said intermediate gripping member comprising means for positioning the same along said wire or cord, and means for retaining a display item thereon, wherein said retaining means are constituted by pair of substantially parallel extensions projecting from said intermediate gripping member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
252 words
Display apparatus, comprising a first rail fixable on a stationary structure and provided with a groove, a sliding member fittable in said first rail groove and slidable therealong, a wire or cord coupled to said sliding member, a gripping member through which said wire or cord passes, comprising a hollow member having an inner tapered surface, a sleeve member having a passage formed therein for said wire or cord and being situated within said hollow member and freely slidable with respect thereto, at least a portion of said sleeve member projecting out from said hollow member, at least one all captured in said sleeve member seating against said tapered inner surface of said hollow member and communicating with said passage, and spring means for urging said sleeve member in said hollow member in the direction in which said inner surface thereof tapers; said apparatus additionally comprising a supporting hook connected to an end of said wire or cord remote from said gripping member, means for tensioning said wire or cord, a second rail having a groove for receiving said supporting hook such that said wire or cord is coupled to said second rail and tensioned when installed, and at least one intermediate gripping member through which said wire or cord passes, said intermediate gripping member comprising means for positioning the same along said wire or cord, and means for retaining a display item thereon, wherein said retaining means are constituted by pair of substantially parallel extensions projecting from said intermediate gripping member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
191 words
Display apparatus, comprising a rail fixable on a stationary structure and provided with a groove, a sliding member fittable in said rail groove and slidable therealong, a wire or cord coupled to said sliding member, and a gripping member through which said wire or cord passes, comprising a hollow member having an inner tapered surface, a sleeve member having a passage formed therein for said wire or cord and being situated within said hollow member and freely slidable with respect thereto, at least a portion of said sleeve member projecting out from said hollow member, at least one ball captured in said sleeve member seating against said tapered inner surface of said hollow member and communicating with said passage, and spring means for urging said sleeve member in said hollow member in the direction in which said inner surface thereof tapers, wherein said rail additionally comprises a projection extending in a direction away from said groove receiving said sliding member, and a second groove situated on said rail between said projection and said groove receiving said sliding member, and additionally comprising a cover mounted over said second groove of said rail.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
191 words
Display apparatus, comprising a rail fixable on a stationary structure and provided with a groove, a sliding member fittable in said rail groove and slidable therealong, a wire or cord coupled to said sliding member, and a gripping member through which said wire or cord passes, comprising a hollow member having an inner tapered surface, a sleeve member having a passage formed therein for said wire or cord and being situated within said hollow member and freely slidable with respect thereto, at least a portion of said sleeve member projecting out from said hollow member, at least one ball captured in said sleeve member seating against said tapered inner surface of said hollow member and communicating with said passage, and spring means for urging said sleeve member in said hollow member in the direction in which said inner surface thereof tapers, wherein said rail additionally comprises a projection extending in a direction away from said groove receiving said sliding member, and a second groove situated on said rail between said projection and said groove receiving said sliding member, and additionally comprising a cover mounted over said second groove of said rail.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
229 words
Display apparatus, comprising a rail fixable on a stationary structure and provided with a groove, a sliding member fittable in said rail groove and slidable therealong, a wire or cord coupled to said sliding member, and a gripping member through which said wire or cord passes, comprising a hollow member having an inner tapered surface, a sleeve member having a passage formed therein for said wire or cord and being situated within said hollow member and freely slidably with respect thereto, at least a portion of said sleeve member projecting out from said hollow member, at least one ball captured in said sleeve member seating against said tapered inner surface of said hollow member and communicating with said passage, and spring means for urging said sleeve member in said hollow member in the direction in which said inner surface thereof tapers, said apparatus additionally comprising a supporting hook connected to an end of said wire or cord remote from said gripping member, means for tensioning said wire or cord, and a second gripping member through which said wire or cord passes, said second gripping member positioned remote from said first gripping member, wherein said second gripping member comprises means for connecting the same to said tensioning means, and wherein said tensioning means are constituted by at least one spring interconnecting said second gripping member connecting means and said hook.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
229 words
Display apparatus, comprising a rail fixable on a stationary structure and provided with a groove, a sliding member fittable in said rail groove and slidable therealong, a wire or cord coupled to said sliding member, and a gripping member through which said wire or cord passes, comprising a hollow member having an inner tapered surface, a sleeve member having a passage formed therein for said wire or cord and being situated within said hollow member and freely slidably with respect thereto, at least a portion of said sleeve member projecting out from said hollow member, at least one ball captured in said sleeve member seating against said tapered inner surface of said hollow member and communicating with said passage, and spring means for urging said sleeve member in said hollow member in the direction in which said inner surface thereof tapers, said apparatus additionally comprising a supporting hook connected to an end of said wire or cord remote from said gripping member, means for tensioning said wire or cord, and a second gripping member through which said wire or cord passes, said second gripping member positioned remote from said first gripping member, wherein said second gripping member comprises means for connecting the same to said tensioning means, and wherein said tensioning means are constituted by at least one spring interconnecting said second gripping member connecting means and said hook.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE235180C
Cited
GB190817456A
Cited
US950859A
Cited
US1261622A
Cited
US3990665A
Cited
US4216568A
Cited
US4061092A
Cited
US4129080A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-04-12 | 1991-10-12 | 1992-04-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-04-12 | 1995-10-12 | 1996-04-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-04-12 | 1999-10-12 | 2000-04-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |