Product hanging tool and display shelf

Abstract

To provide a product hanging tool capable of semi-automatically advancing a commodity and reducing a dead space as much as possible.SOLUTION: A product hanging tool comprises: a rod extending in a substantially horizontal direction so as to allow hanging of a product and extending from a base end portion toward a tip portion opposite to the base end portion; a storage portion provided extending from the base end portion of the rod to the tip portion inside the rod; a first axis portion provided at the tip portion in the storage portion; a second axis portion provided at the base end portion in the storage portion; a circular belt member wound around the first axis portion and the second axis portion so as to be rotatable in the storage portion; and multiple protrusions that are provided at predetermined intervals on the outer surface of the circular belt member and that protrude from the outer surface so as to be contactable with the product. One portions of the multiple protrusions protrude outside the outer peripheral surface of the rod, and other portions of the multiple protrusions that face the one portions of the plurality of protrusions is positioned inside the outer peripheral surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a product hanging tool that can move a product forward.

Background Art

[0002] A product display device has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This product display device includes a rod-shaped member capable of hanging a product, and a product forward movement mechanism that moves forward a product hung on the rod-shaped member. The product forward movement mechanism includes a pair of shaft members, an endless belt-shaped member stretched between the pair of shaft members, and a plate-shaped member protruding from the outer surface of the endless belt-shaped member. The plate-shaped member has a notch for receiving the rod-shaped member. When a purchaser makes an operation of extracting a product, the product located at the rear is pushed forward by the action of the endless belt-shaped member and the plate-shaped member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Disclosure of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above conventional product display device, since a pair of shaft members, an endless belt-shaped member, and a plate-shaped member require a relatively large space in the display shelf, there is a problem that it does not match the needs of the store side that wants to display as many products as possible in the limited space in the store. On the other hand, in order to move a product forward, there is a rod-shaped member configured to be downwardly inclined (front downward) so that the installation height decreases as it goes forward, but there is a problem that the dead space increases by the amount of the downward inclination of the rod-shaped member, and the number of products that can be displayed on the shelf decreases.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a product hanging tool that can semi-automatically move a product forward and reduces dead space as much as possible.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The above problem is solved by the following present invention. That is, the merchandise suspension tool of the present invention (1) includes a rod that extends in a substantially horizontal direction so as to be able to suspend merchandise, and extends from the base end portion toward the tip end portion on the side opposite to the base end portion; a storage portion provided inside the rod and extending from the base end portion to the tip end portion of the rod; a first shaft portion provided at the tip end portion inside the storage portion; a belt member that is bent in a U shape and disposed inside the storage portion, and is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward inside the storage portion with the first shaft portion as a fulcrum; and is provided with

[0007] Moreover, the merchandise suspension tool of the present invention (2) is the merchandise suspension tool according to (1), and includes a second shaft portion provided at the base end portion inside the storage portion, the belt member forms an annular shape, is wound around the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion, and is provided so as to be rotatable inside the storage portion.

[0008] Moreover, the merchandise suspension tool of the present invention (3) is the merchandise suspension tool according to (1) or (2), and includes a plurality of protrusions provided at predetermined intervals on the outer surface of the belt member and protruding from the outer surface so as to be able to contact the merchandise.

[0009] Moreover, the merchandise suspension tool of the present invention (4) is the merchandise suspension tool according to any one of (1) to (3), a part of the plurality of protrusions protrudes outside the outer peripheral surface of the rod, and another part of the plurality of protrusions facing a part of the plurality of protrusions is located inside the outer peripheral surface.

[0010] Moreover, the merchandise suspension tool of the present invention (5) is the merchandise suspension tool according to any one of (1) to (4), the outer peripheral surface of the rod has a top surface and a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, Some of the plurality of protrusions are provided at positions corresponding to the top surface and protrude outwardly from the top surface, and some other of the plurality of protrusions are provided at positions corresponding to the bottom surface and are located on the inner side from the bottom surface.

[0011] Also, the merchandise hanging tool of the present invention (6) is the merchandise hanging tool according to (3), wherein the belt member has a belt body, when the protrusion is at a position corresponding to the top surface, the protrusion has a slope portion where the protruding height from the outer surface of the belt body increases as going in the direction from the tip end portion toward the base end portion.

[0012] Also, the merchandise hanging tool of the present invention (7) is the merchandise hanging tool according to (6), wherein the protrusion is a stepped portion provided on the base end portion side rather than the slope portion when the protrusion is at a position corresponding to the top surface, and the stepped portion extends in a direction orthogonal to the outer surface from the outer surface of the belt body.

[0013] Also, the merchandise hanging tool of the present invention (8) is the merchandise hanging tool according to (7), wherein the protrusion has a rectangular base portion directly connected to the belt body and a semi-circular portion formed above the rectangular base portion.

[0014] Also, the merchandise hanging tool of the present invention (9) is the merchandise hanging tool according to (3), the diameter of the arc surface of the first shaft portion is larger than the width of the protrusion in the circumferential direction of the belt member.

[0015] Also, the display shelf of the present invention (10) is the merchandise hanging tool according to (3), the diameter of the arc surface of the second shaft portion is larger than the width of the protrusion in the circumferential direction of the belt member.

[0016] Also, the merchandise hanging tool of the present invention (11) is the merchandise hanging tool according to (1), The rod has a raised portion that bulges upward at the tip portion.

[0017] Moreover, the merchandise suspension tool of the present invention (12) is the merchandise suspension tool according to (2), The rod includes a rod body having a U-shaped cross section and having the storage portion inside, and a cover member attached to the rod body so as to cover the storage portion. The cover member includes the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion.

[0018] Moreover, the display shelf of the present invention (13) is provided with the merchandise suspension tool according to (1).

Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a merchandise suspension tool that can semi-automatically move merchandise forward and minimizes dead space.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

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Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0021] With reference to the following drawings, the merchandise hanging tool of the present embodiment and the display shelf equipped with the same will be described. The merchandise hanging tool of the present embodiment can move subsequent merchandise forward by utilizing the force with which a customer takes out a merchandise. Hereinafter, the description will proceed with the direction in which the rod extends as the longitudinal direction, the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction as the width direction, the customer side as the front direction, and the side opposite to the customer as the rear direction. [First Embodiment]

[0022] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 13, the merchandise hanging tool 13 of the first embodiment will be described.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the display shelf 11 includes a girder member 12 (angle bar) and a merchandise hanging tool 13 attached to the girder member 12.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 11, the merchandise suspension tool 13 includes a hollow rod 14, a fixing portion 15 that supports the rod 14 and is fixed to a girder member 12 (angle bar) extending in the lateral direction of the merchandise display shelf, and an annular belt member 16 rotatably attached to the rod 14. The rod 14 has a base end portion 17 fixed to the fixing portion 15 and a tip end portion 18 on the opposite side of the base end portion 17 in the longitudinal direction thereof. A part of the rod 14 and the fixing portion 15 are formed of a metal material such as steel, for example. The base end portion 17 of the rod 14 (rod main body 23) is fixed to the fixing portion 15 by welding, for example. Further, the rod 14 has a top surface 21 and a bottom surface 22 on the opposite side of the top surface 21. The annular belt member 16 is an example of the belt member referred to in the present invention.

[0025] The fixing portion 15 is formed in an inverted J shape and can be hooked on the girder member 12. That is, the fixing portion 15 can hold the girder member 12 (angle bar) inside. For this reason, the fixing portion 15 is detachable from the girder member 12.

[0026] The rod 14 extends in a substantially horizontal direction so as to be able to suspend the merchandise 54. The rod 14 extends from the base end portion 17 toward the tip end portion 18 on the opposite side of the base end portion 17. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, the rod 14 has a rod main body 23 formed in an elongated U-shaped cross section, a storage portion 24 formed elongated inside the rod main body 23, and a cover member 25 covering the storage portion 24 of the rod main body 23. The rod main body 23 is open upward, and the storage portion 24 is formed in the opening thereof.

[0027] The storage portion 24 is formed in an elongated groove shape extending from the base end portion 17 to the tip end portion 18. A part of the annular belt member 16 can be stored inside the storage portion 24.

[0028] The rod body 23 is formed in an elongated rod shape from a metal material such as steel. The rod body 23 is formed into a U-shaped cross section by performing, for example, bending processing on a metal flat plate. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, the rod body 23 includes a bottom wall portion 31, a pair of side wall portions 32 that rise upward from both end portions in the width direction of the bottom wall portion 31, a pair of receiving portions 33 provided on the tip side of the pair of side wall portions 32, a pair of holding portions 34 provided so as to project upward from the base end side of the pair of side wall portions 32, a plurality of first engaging portions 35 provided on the pair of side wall portions 32, and a lower opening portion 36 provided on the tip side of the bottom wall portion 31 (see FIGS. 6 and 9).

[0029] The pair of receiving portions 33 are formed to be recessed rearward from the surroundings in the longitudinal direction so as to be able to hook and hold the hooking portion 53 of the cover member 25 described later. The pair of holding portions 34 can hold the stopper portion 43 on the base portion side of the cover member 25 with the stopper portion 43 sandwiched therebetween inside thereof. As shown in FIG. 8, each of the plurality of first engaging portions 35 is configured by a protrusion that can be inserted into a second engaging portion 52 (through hole) of the cover member 25 described later.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the lower opening portion 36 is formed in a slit shape, and a part of the annular belt member 16 (protrusion portion 62) wound around the first shaft portion 46 is exposed downward. Thereby, without increasing the diameter of the rod 14, interference between the annular belt member 16 and the bottom wall portion 31 is prevented.

[0031] 6 to 8 and 11, the cover member 25 includes a long, flat cover body 41, a protruding portion 42 provided at the tip end of the cover body 41 and protruding upward, a stopper portion 43 provided at the base end of the cover body 41, a rail groove 44 recessed to accommodate a portion of the annular belt member 16, a pair of retaining claws 45 for retaining a portion of the annular belt member 16 in the rail groove 44, a first shaft portion 46 provided at the tip end 18 within the storage portion 24, a second shaft portion 47 provided at the base end 17 within the storage portion 24, a plurality of legs 51 protruding from the cover body 41 to enter the storage portion 24, second engagement portions 52 provided on the legs 51, and a hook portion 53 provided at a lower portion of the tip end of the cover body 41.

[0032] 1, 2, and 6, the raised portion 42 is formed in a mountain shape so as to protrude upward. The raised portion 42 has a groove 42A in the center in the width direction thereof, through which the annular belt member 16 passes when the annular belt member 16 is wound around the first shaft portion 46.

[0033] 1, 10 and 11, the stopper portion 43 protrudes radially outward beyond the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical rod 14, and can stop the product 54 so that it does not move further toward the base end 17. The base end side of the stopper portion 43 is sandwiched and held between the inner sides of the pair of holding portions 34.

[0034] 図8、図11に示すように、レール溝44は、ロッド14の長手方向に沿って細長く延び、且つ周囲の部分よりも窪んで設けられている。

[0035] 4, 8, and 11, pairs of retaining claws 45 are provided at multiple locations at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the rod 14. The pair of retaining claws 45 protrude from the side walls (side wall portions 32) on both sides of the rail groove 44 toward the inside of the rail groove 44. In other words, the retaining claws 45 protrude from the upper edge of the rail groove 44 toward the center of the rail groove 44.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, the annular belt member 16 has a notch 55 at one location thereof. The notch 55 has a length dimension E that is larger than the thickness (wall thickness) of the holding claw 45 and smaller than the length dimension D of the holding claw 45 in the longitudinal direction of the rod 14. The notches 55 are provided in a pair at both ends in the width direction of the annular belt member 16. When assembling the product hanging tool 13, an operator can insert the annular belt member 16 into the rail groove 44 through the notch 55.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first shaft portion 46 has a non-circular cross section. However, the first shaft portion 46 has a semi-circular arc surface 56 that protrudes toward the tip end direction of the rod 14. The diameter dimension A of this arc surface 56 (semicircle) is formed larger than the width dimension B of the protrusion 62 in the circumferential direction of the annular belt member 16. The center of the semi-circle (arc surface 56) of the first shaft portion 46 is provided at a position closer to the center of the rod 14 than the bottom surface of the rail groove 44.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the second shaft portion 47 has a non-circular cross section. However, the second shaft portion 47 has a semi-circular second arc surface 57 that protrudes toward the base end direction of the rod 14. The diameter dimension C of this second arc surface 57 (semicircle) is formed larger than the width dimension B of the protrusion 62 in the circumferential direction of the annular belt member 16. The center of the semi-circle (arc surface 56) of the second shaft portion 47 is provided on the outer side in the radial direction of the rod 14 than the bottom surface of the rail groove 44.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, the plurality of leg portions 51 protrude from the end portions in the width direction of the cover body 41 toward the inside of the storage portion 24. The leg portions 51 are arranged alternately. For example, when one leg portion 51 protrudes from the right end portion in the width direction of the cover body 41, the other leg portion adjacent to this protrudes from the left end portion in the width direction of the cover body 41. Each of the plurality of leg portions 51 has a second engaging portion 52. The second engaging portion 52 is formed as a through hole, for example. The protrusion of the first engaging portion 35 is inserted into the second engaging portion 52. Thereby, the cover member 25 is fixed to the rod body 23.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 11, the engaging portion 53 has a claw shape that protrudes rearward so as to engage with the pair of receiving portions 33 and has a shape complementary to the receiving portions 33.

[0041] The annular belt member 16 is wound around the first shaft portion 46 and the second shaft portion 47 and is rotatably provided within the storage portion 24. The annular belt member 16 is formed of, for example, a flexible synthetic resin material. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 11, the annular belt member 16 has an annular and belt-shaped belt body 61 and a plurality of protrusions 62 provided on the outer surface 65 of the belt body 61. The plurality of protrusions 62 protrude outward from the outer surface 65 of the belt body 61 at predetermined intervals. The annular belt member 16 is disposed across the rail groove 44 of the cover body 41 and the storage portion 24 of the rod 14. When the annular belt member 16 is within the rail groove 44, it is at a position corresponding to the top surface 21 of the rod 14 (see FIG. 5). In this way, when at a position corresponding to the top surface 21 of the rod 14, a part of the plurality of protrusions 62 protrudes outside the outer peripheral surface (top surface 21) of the rod 14 (see FIG. 2). On the other hand, when the annular belt member 16 is within the storage portion 24 of the rod 14, it is at a position corresponding to the bottom surface 22 (see FIG. 5). In this way, when at a position corresponding to the bottom surface 22, a part of the plurality of protrusions 62 is located on the inner side with respect to the outer peripheral surface (bottom surface 22) of the rod 14.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6, each of the plurality of protrusions 62 has an outer shape like a shark's fin. That is, the protrusion 62 has a slope portion 63 and a step portion 64 provided adjacent to the slope portion 63. When at a position corresponding to the top surface 21 of the rod 14, the slope portion 63 is located closer to the tip end 18 side than the step portion 64. The slope portion 63 is inclined such that the protruding height from the outer surface 65 of the belt body 61 increases in the direction from the tip end 18 toward the base end 17. Similarly, when at a position corresponding to the top surface 21 of the rod 14, the step portion 64 is located closer to the base end 17 side than the slope portion 63. The step portion 64 extends in a direction orthogonal to the outer surface 65 from the outer surface 65 of the belt body 61.

[0043] Therefore, when a customer takes out the product 54 to the front side, the edge of the through hole of the product 54 is likely to be caught by the protrusion 62, and when a store manager replenishes the product 54 with the back side facing, the edge of the through hole of the product 54 is less likely to be caught, forming a shape with such characteristics.

[0044] The product 54 suspended and displayed by the product suspender 13 of the present embodiment has a through hole through which the rod 14 passes. This through hole is usually formed with a diameter sufficiently larger than that of the rod 14. For example, while the diameter of the rod 14 is 4 - 6 mm, the diameter of the through hole of the product 54 is 8 - 10 mm.

[0045] Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the operation of the product suspender 13 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of products 54 are suspended and displayed on the product hanger 13. When a customer visiting the store takes out the product 54 from the front, as shown in FIG. 13, the edge of the through-hole of the product 54 catches on the protrusion 62 (step portion 64) of the annular belt member 16, and the annular belt member 16 is rotated around so that a part of the annular belt member 16 is pulled out to the front side. By the rotation of this annular belt member 16, the slope portion 63 of the protrusion 62 enters into the through-hole of the product 54, and the subsequent product 54 can be carried on the upper side of the slope portion 63. In the state where the subsequent product 54 is carried on the upper side of the slope portion 63 like this, in order for the annular belt member 16 to continue rotating further, the subsequent product 54 is semi-automatically pushed forward. Thereby, the product 54 can always be lined up in the front row.

[0047] On the other hand, when the store manager replenishes the product hanger 13 with the product 54 facing the rear side, since the slope portion 63 is formed on the protrusion 62, the product 54 is not caught on the protrusion 62, and the replenishment of the product 54 is smoothly performed.

[0048] According to the present embodiment, the following can be said. The product hanger 13 includes a rod 14 that extends in a substantially horizontal direction so as to be able to suspend the product 54, and extends from the base end portion 17 toward the tip end portion 18 opposite to the base end portion 17; a storage portion 24 provided inside the rod 14 and extending from the base end portion 17 to the tip end portion 18 of the rod 14; a first shaft portion 46 provided at the tip end portion 18 inside the storage portion 24; and a belt member that is bent in a U shape and disposed inside the storage portion 24, and is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward inside the storage portion 24 with the first shaft portion 46 as a fulcrum.

[0049] According to this configuration, by utilizing the operation of the customer taking out the product 54, the subsequent product 54 can be semi-automatically advanced by the belt member and the protrusions 62. As a result, the labor required for the store operation of advancing the product 54, which the store manager has to perform daily, can be reduced. Also, since the belt member is stored inside the rod 14, there is no need to separately provide a space for installing the belt member, and a display shelf 11 with space savings and a high filling density of the product 54 can be realized. Furthermore, since the rod 14 extends in a substantially horizontal direction, a display shelf 11 with space savings and a high filling density of the product 54 can be realized as compared with the case where the rod 14 is configured to slope downward forward.

[0050] The product suspension tool 13 includes a second shaft portion 47 provided at the base end portion 17 within the storage portion 24. The belt member forms a loop and is wound around the first shaft portion 46 and the second shaft portion 47 and is rotatably provided within the storage portion 24.

[0051] According to this configuration, since the belt member is loop-shaped, the store manager can realize a product suspension tool 13 that enables efficient product replenishment operations without the need for a return operation of the belt member.

[0052] In this case, a plurality of protrusions 62 are provided at predetermined intervals on the outer surface 65 of the belt member and protrude from the outer surface 65 so as to be able to contact the product 54. According to this configuration, a belt member having a structure that easily catches on the product 54 can be realized.

[0053] A part of the plurality of protrusions 62 protrudes outside the outer peripheral surface of the rod 14, and another part of the plurality of protrusions 62 facing a part of the plurality of protrusions 62 is located inside the outer peripheral surface. According to this configuration, among the plurality of protrusions 62, only a part of the plurality of protrusions 62 included in one row protrudes outside the outer peripheral surface of the rod 14, and the other part of the plurality of protrusions 62 included in the other row facing this can be accommodated inside the outer peripheral surface. As a result, when the customer takes out the product 54 from in front of the rod 14, the annular belt member 16 can be efficiently rotated in one direction together with the product 54. Thereby, the product 54 can be automatically and efficiently taken out forward.

[0054] In this case, the outer peripheral surface of the rod 14 has a top surface 21 and a bottom surface 22 opposite to the top surface 21. A part of the plurality of protrusions 62 is provided at a position corresponding to the top surface 21 and protrudes outside the top surface 21, and another part of the plurality of protrusions 62 is provided at a position corresponding to the bottom surface 22 and is located inside the bottom surface 22.

[0055] Normally, the product 54 hung on the rod 14 for display has a through hole for passing the rod 14. This through hole is often formed with a diameter sufficiently large with respect to the rod 14. And the product 54 is suspended with respect to the rod 14 by hooking the upper edge of the through hole on the top surface 21 of the rod 14. On the other hand, due to the relationship between the diameter of the through hole and the diameter of the rod 14, the lower edge of the through hole is often arranged at a position separated from the rod 14. According to this configuration, a part of the plurality of protrusions 62 can be arranged at a position where it is easy to catch on the product 54. As a result, the protrusions 62 can easily catch on the product 54, and the force with which the customer takes out the product 54 to the front side can be efficiently transmitted to the belt member, and the belt member can be rotated in one direction. For this reason, the subsequent other products 54 can be taken out forward.

[0056] The belt member has a belt body 61, and when the protrusion 62 is at a position corresponding to the top surface 21, the protrusion 62 has a slope portion 63 in which the protruding height from the outer surface 65 of the belt body 61 increases as it goes in the direction from the tip end portion 18 toward the base end portion 17.

[0057] According to this configuration, when replenishing the product 54 by the slope portion 63, the product 54 can be made into a structure that is not easily caught by the protrusion 62. Further, when the annular belt member 16 and the protrusion 62 are rotated in one direction by taking out the product 54 from the customer, the protrusion 62 can be made into a structure that easily enters below the product 54 by the slope portion 63. As a result, the product 54 can be easily carried on the upper side of the protrusion 62, and the subsequent product 54 can be efficiently advanced forward by the rotational force of the annular belt member 16 and the protrusion 62.

[0058] The protrusion 62 is a step portion 64 provided on the base end portion 17 side rather than the slope portion 63 when the protrusion 62 is at a position corresponding to the top surface 21, and the step portion 64 extends in a direction orthogonal to the outer surface 65 from the outer surface 65 of the belt body 61.

[0059] According to this configuration, when the customer takes out the product 54, the protrusion 62 can be made to easily catch on the product 54. As a result, the belt member can be efficiently rotated using the force for taking out the product 54, and the subsequent other product 54 can be efficiently advanced forward.

[0060] The diameter of the arc surface 56 of the first shaft portion 46 is larger than the width of the protrusion 62 in the circumferential direction of the belt member. According to this configuration, the belt member can be smoothly rotated without being caught with a small resistance.

[0061] The diameter of the second shaft portion 47 is larger than the width of the protrusion 62 in the circumferential direction of the belt member. According to this configuration, the belt member can be smoothly rotated without being caught with a small resistance.

[0062] The rod 14 has a raised portion 42 that bulges upward at the tip 18. According to this configuration, it is possible to make it difficult for the product 54 to fall off the rod 14.

[0063] The rod 14 includes a rod body 23 having a U-shaped cross section and a storage portion 24 inside, and a cover member 25 attached to the rod body 23 so as to cover the storage portion 24. The cover member 25 includes a first shaft portion 46 and a second shaft portion 47.

[0064] According to this configuration, a structure covering the storage portion 24 can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0065] Subsequently, a modified embodiment of the display shelf 11 and the product suspension tool 13 of the present embodiment will be described. In the following modification examples, mainly the parts different from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the parts common to the first embodiment will be omitted. (Modification example)

[0066] Referring to FIG. 14, a modified example of the product suspension tool 13 of the first embodiment will be described. In this modified example, the rod body 23 is open toward the side, and the storage portion 24 is formed in the opening. The cover member 25 is attached to the side surface of the rod body 23 so as to close the storage portion 24 that opens toward the side. At this time, when the plurality of protrusions 62 are located in the rail groove 44, they protrude outside the outer peripheral surface of the rod 14. When the plurality of protrusions 62 are located in the storage portion 24, they are located inside the outer peripheral surface of the rod 14.

[0067] Also according to this modified example, since the protrusions 62 can be hooked on the edge of the through hole of the product 54, substantially the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved, such as advancing the subsequent product 54 by using the force with which the customer takes out the product 54 forward.

[0068] Next, a modified embodiment of the product hanger 13 of the present embodiment will be described. In the following embodiments, mainly the parts different from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the parts common to the first embodiment will be omitted. [Second Embodiment]

[0069] Referring to FIGS. 15 to 18, the product hanger 13 of the second embodiment and the display shelf 11 including the same will be described. In the present embodiment, the shape of the protrusion 62 of the annular belt member 16 is different from that of the first embodiment, but the other parts are common to the first embodiment.

[0070] The display shelf 11 includes a girder member 12 (angle bar) and a product hanger 13 attached to the girder member 12.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 16, the annular belt member 16 has an annular and belt-shaped belt body 61 and a protrusion 62 provided on the outer surface 65 of the belt body 61. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the protrusion 62 has a square base portion 71 directly connected to the belt body 61 and a semi-circular portion 72 formed on the upper side (outer side) of the square base portion 71. The annular belt member 16 is an example of the belt member referred to in the present invention.

[0072] More specifically, the protrusion 62 has a slope portion 63 and a step portion 64 provided adjacent to the slope portion 63. When it is at a position corresponding to the top surface 21 of the rod 14, the semi-circular portion 72 has a slope portion 63 located closer to the tip end 18 side than the step portion 64. The slope portion 63 is arcuate so that the protruding height from the outer surface 65 of the belt body 61 increases as it goes in the direction from the tip end 18 to the base end 17.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 16, the square base portion 71 has a step portion 64. When it is at a position corresponding to the top surface 21 of the rod 14, the step portion 64 is located closer to the base end 17 side than the slope portion 63. The step portion 64 extends in a direction orthogonal to the outer surface 65 from the outer surface 65 of the belt body 61.

[0074] Next, with reference to FIGS. 15 to 18, the operation of the product hanging tool 13 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0075] A plurality of products 54 are hung and displayed on the product hanging tool 13. When a customer visiting the store takes out the product 54 from the front, the edge of the through hole of the product 54 is caught by the protrusion 62 (step portion 64) of the annular belt member 16, and the annular belt member 16 is rotated around so as to pull out a part of the annular belt member 16 to the front side. By the rotation of this annular belt member 16, the slope portion 63 of the protrusion 62 enters into the through hole of the product 54, and the product 54 following on the upper side of the slope portion 63 can be carried. In a state where the product 54 following on the upper side of the slope portion 63 is carried like this, since the annular belt member 16 continues to rotate further, the subsequent product 54 is semi-automatically moved forward. Thereby, the product 54 can always be arranged in the front row.

[0076] On the other hand, when the store manager replenishes the product hanging tool 13 with the product facing the rear side, since the slope portion 63 is formed on the protrusion 62, the product 54 is not caught by the protrusion 62, and the replenishment of the product 54 is smoothly performed.

[0077] According to the present embodiment, the following can be said. The protrusion 62 has a semi-circular shape. According to this configuration, when replenishing the product 54, the structure can be made such that the product 54 is not easily caught by the protrusion 62. Further, when the belt member and the protrusion 62 are rotated in one direction by taking out the product 54 from the customer, the protrusion 62 can be made to easily enter below the product 54 due to the semi-circular shape. Thereby, it is possible to easily carry the product 54 on the upper side of the protrusion 62, and the subsequent product 54 can be efficiently moved forward by the rotational force of the belt member and the protrusion 62. [Third Embodiment]

[0078] Referring to FIGS. 19 to 21, the merchandise suspension tool 13 of the third embodiment and the display shelf 11 equipped with the same will be described. In this embodiment, it is different from the first embodiment in that the annular belt member 16 is constituted by a non-annular belt member 81, but the other parts are common to the first embodiment.

[0079] The belt member 81 is not annular but formed in a strip shape. The belt member 81 is formed of, for example, a flexible synthetic resin material. The belt member 81 has a belt main body 61 formed in a strip shape, a plurality of protrusions 62 provided on the outer surface 65 of the belt main body 61, and a finger hook portion 82 for returning the belt member 81 to its original position. The plurality of protrusions 62 project outward from the outer surface 65 of the belt main body 61 at predetermined intervals. The belt member 81 is disposed so as to straddle the inside of the rail groove 44 of the cover main body 41 and the inside of the storage portion 24 of the rod 14 in a state of being bent in a U shape around the first shaft portion 46. When the belt member 81 is in the rail groove 44, it is at a position corresponding to the top surface 21 of the rod 14. In this way, when at a position corresponding to the top surface 21 of the rod 14, the plurality of protrusions 62 project outward from the outer peripheral surface (top surface 21) of the rod 14. On the other hand, when the belt member 81 is in the storage portion 24 of the rod 14, it is at a position corresponding to the bottom surface 22. In this way, when at a position corresponding to the bottom surface 22, the plurality of protrusions 62 are located on the inner side from the outer peripheral surface (bottom surface 22) of the rod.

[0080] Each of the plurality of protrusions 62 has an outer shape like a shark's fin. That is, the protrusion 62 has a slope portion 63 and a step portion 64 provided adjacent to the slope portion 63. As shown in FIG. 19, when at a position corresponding to the top surface 21 of the rod 14, the slope portion 63 is located on the tip end portion 18 side. The slope portion 63 is inclined so that the protruding height from the outer surface 65 of the belt main body 61 increases as it goes in the direction from the tip end portion 18 to the base end portion 17. Similarly, when at a position corresponding to the top surface 21 of the rod 14, the step portion 64 is located on the base end portion 17 side. The step portion 64 extends in a direction orthogonal to the outer surface 65 from the outer surface 65 of the belt main body 61.

[0081] Therefore, when a customer takes out the product 54 towards the front side, the edge of the through-hole of the product 54 is likely to be caught by the protruding portion 62 of the annular belt member 16, and when the store manager replenishes the product 54, the edge of the through-hole of the product 54 is unlikely to be caught by the protruding portion 62. Although not shown in the drawings, in order to efficiently U-turn the belt member 81 around the first shaft portion 46, it is of course possible to provide a guide member having a U-shape outside the belt member 81.

[0082] Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 19 to 21, the operation of the product hanging tool 13 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0083] When a customer visiting the store takes out a product from the front, the edge of the through-hole of the product 54 is caught by the protruding portion 62 (step portion 64) of the annular belt member 16, and the belt member 81 is rotated around to pull a part of the belt member 81 towards the front side. As a result, the belt member 81 located in the rail groove 44 makes a U-turn around the first shaft portion 46 and moves into the storage portion 24. At this time, the belt member 81 slides in the directions indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 20 and 21. Due to the rotation (sliding movement) of the belt member 81, the slope portion 63 of the protruding portion 62 enters the through-hole of the product 54, and the subsequent product can be carried on the upper side of the slope portion 63. In the state where the subsequent product 54 is carried on the upper side of the slope portion 63 in this way, in order for the belt member 81 to continue to rotate around, the subsequent product 54 is semi-automatically pushed forward. As a result, the product 54 can always be arranged in the front row.

[0084] On the other hand, when the store manager replenishes the product 54 to the product hanging tool 13, the store manager pushes the finger-hooking portion 82 towards the base end portion 17 side to slide the belt member 81 back to its original position. In this state, the store manager replenishes the product 54 towards the rear side with respect to the product hanging tool 13. At that time, since the slope portion 63 is formed on the protruding portion 62, the product 54 is not caught by the protruding portion 62, and the replenishment of the product 54 is smoothly performed.

[0085] According to this embodiment, the following can be said. The product suspension tool 13 extends in a substantially horizontal direction so as to be able to suspend the product 54, and includes a rod 14 that extends from the base end portion 17 toward the tip end portion 18 opposite to the base end portion 17, a storage portion 24 provided inside the rod 14 and extending from the base end portion 17 to the tip end portion 18 of the rod 14, a first shaft portion 46 provided at the tip end portion 18 inside the storage portion 24, and a belt member 81 that is bent in a U shape and disposed inside the storage portion 24 and is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward inside the storage portion 24 with the first shaft portion 46 as a fulcrum.

[0086] According to this configuration, by utilizing the operation of the customer taking out the product 54, the subsequent product 54 can be advanced by the belt member 81 and the protrusion 62. Further, since the belt member 81 is stored inside the rod 14, there is no need to separately provide a space for installing the belt member 81, and a display shelf 11 with a high filling density of the product 54 can be realized with space saving. Furthermore, since the rod 14 extends in a substantially horizontal direction, a display shelf 11 with a high filling density of the product 54 can be realized with space saving as compared with the case where the rod 14 is configured to slope downward. [Fourth Embodiment]

[0087] Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, the product suspension tool 13 of the fourth embodiment and the display shelf 11 including the same will be described. In this embodiment, it is different from the first embodiment in that the annular belt member 16 is constituted by a ball chain in which a large number of balls are connected in a string-of-beads manner instead of a belt made of a resin material, and the rod 14 is constituted by a cylindrical pipe material, but the other parts are common to the first embodiment.

[0088] As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the annular belt member 16 has a plurality of protrusions 62. The plurality of protrusions 62 protrude outward from the belt body 61 at predetermined intervals. The annular belt member 16 is disposed across the inside of a rod 14 made of a cylindrical pipe material and the outside of the rod 14. When the annular belt member 16 is on the outside of the rod 14, it is at a position corresponding to the top surface 21 of the rod 14. In this way, when at a position corresponding to the top surface 21 of the rod 14, the plurality of protrusions 62 protrude outside the outer peripheral surface (top surface 21) of the rod 14. On the other hand, when the annular belt member 16 is inside the rod 14, it is at a position corresponding to the bottom surface 22. In this way, when at a position corresponding to the bottom surface 22, the plurality of protrusions 62 are located on the inner side with respect to the outer peripheral surface (bottom surface 22) of the rod 14. The annular belt member 16 is an example of the belt member referred to in the present invention.

[0089] Each of the plurality of protrusions 62 has the outer shape of a sphere. The protrusion 62 has a slope portion 63 formed of a part of a spherical surface and a step portion 64 provided adjacent to the slope portion 63. The step portion 64 is the boundary position of adjacent protrusions 62 (spheres). As shown in FIG. 21, when at a position corresponding to the top surface 21 of the rod 14, the slope portion 63 is located on the tip end portion 18 side with respect to the step portion 64. The slope portion 63 is inclined such that the protruding height from the outer surface 65 of the belt body 61 increases as it goes in the direction from the tip end portion 18 toward the base end portion 17. Similarly, when at a position corresponding to the top surface 21 of the rod 14, the step portion 64 (the boundary position of the protrusion 62 (sphere)) is located on the base end portion 17 side with respect to the slope portion 63. The step portion 64 extends in a direction orthogonal to the outer surface 65 of the belt body 61 from the outer surface 65.

[0090] Therefore, when a customer takes out the product 54 to the front side, the edge of the through hole of the product 54 is likely to be caught by the protrusion 62, and when a store manager replenishes the product 54, the edge of the through hole of the product 54 is unlikely to be caught, forming a shape.

[0091] Next, the operation of the product hanging tool 13 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0092] When a customer visiting the store takes out the product 54 from the front, the edge of the through hole of the product 54 is caught by the protrusion 62 (step portion 64) of the annular belt member 16, and the annular belt member 16 is rotated around so that a part of the annular belt member 16 is pulled out to the front side. By the rotation of this annular belt member 16, the subsequent product 54 is semi-automatically moved forward. As a result, the product 54 can always be arranged in the front row.

[0093] On the other hand, when the store manager replenishes the product 54 to the rear of the product hanging tool 13, since the slope portion 63 is formed on the protrusion 62, it is difficult for the product 54 to be caught by the protrusion 62, and the replenishment of the product 54 is made smooth. [Fifth Embodiment]

[0094] With reference to FIGS. 24 to 27, the product hanging tool 13 of the fifth embodiment and the display shelf 11 equipped with the same will be described. In this embodiment, it is different from the first embodiment in that the annular belt member 16 does not have the protrusion 62, the shapes of the first shaft portion 46 and the second shaft portion 47 are different, and the shape of the rod 14 is different, but the other parts are common to the first embodiment.

[0095] The annular belt member 16 has a base material layer 16A and an elastic body layer 16B provided on the outer surface of the base material layer 16A. The base material layer 16A is formed of a synthetic resin material. The elastic body layer 16B is formed of an elastic body such as rubber having a relatively high coefficient of friction or sponge made of other materials. In this embodiment, the protrusion 62 is omitted from the annular belt member 16. The annular belt member 16 is an example of the belt member referred to in the present invention.

[0096] The first shaft portion 46 has a semi-circular arc surface 56 that protrudes toward the tip direction of the rod 14. The rear side of the first shaft portion 46 is integrally formed with the wall portion that constitutes the bottom surface of the rail groove 44. The second shaft portion 47 has a semi-circular second arc surface 57 that protrudes toward the base end direction of the rod 14. The front side of the second shaft portion 47 is integrally formed with the wall portion that constitutes the bottom surface of the rail groove 44.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 27, in this embodiment, the rod 14 is integrally formed in an "H"-shaped cross-section by a synthetic resin material or the like. In this embodiment, the rod body 23 and the cover member 25 are omitted, and an "H"-shaped cross-section rod 14 in which they are integrated is adopted.

[0098] The operation of the product hanger 13 of this embodiment will be described. When a customer visiting a store tries to take out the product 54 from the front, the edge of the through-hole of the product 54 bites into the elastic body layer 16B of the annular belt member 16, and the annular belt member 16 is rotated around so as to pull out a part of the annular belt member 16 to the front side. By this rotation of the annular belt member 16, the subsequent product 54 is semi-automatically moved forward. As a result, the product 54 can always be arranged in the front row.

[0099] On the other hand, when the store manager replenishes the product 54 to the rear side of the product hanger 13, since the protrusion 62 is omitted in this embodiment, the replenishment of the product 54 is made smoothly.

[0100] In addition, in this embodiment, an annular annular belt member 16 is adopted, but it is not limited to this. Instead of the annular belt member 16, it is of course possible to adopt a non-annular belt member together with the finger-hooking portion 82 as in the third embodiment.

[0101] The above-described embodiments can be implemented with further various replacements and modifications. It is of course possible to configure one invention by appropriately combining the above different modification examples and embodiments.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0102] 11 Display Shelf 12 Lattice Member 13 Product Hanger 14 Rod 16 Annular Belt Member 17 Base End Portion 18 Tip End Portion 21 Top Surface 22 Bottom Surface 23 Rod Body 24 Storage Portion 25 Cover Member 41 Cover Body 42 Protrusion Portion 46 First Shaft Portion 47 Second Shaft Portion 51 Leg Portion 54 Product 56 Arc Surface 57 Second Arc Surface 61 Belt Body 62 Protrusion 63 Slope Portion 64 Step Portion 65 Outer Surface 71 Square Base 72 Semi-Circular Portion 81 Belt Member 82 Finger-Hooking Portion

Claims

1. A rod that extends in a substantially horizontal direction so that a product can be suspended, and extends from a base end portion toward a tip end portion opposite to the base end portion; A storage portion provided inside the rod and extending from the base end portion to the tip end portion of the rod; A first shaft portion provided at the tip end portion within the storage portion; A belt member that is bent in a U shape and disposed within the storage portion, and is provided so as to be movable forward and backward within the storage portion with the first shaft portion as a fulcrum; A product suspension tool comprising the above.

2. Comprising a second shaft portion provided at the base end portion within the storage portion, The belt member forms a ring shape, is wound around the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion, and the product suspension tool according to claim 1, which is provided so as to be rotatable within the storage portion.

3. The product suspension tool according to claim 2, comprising a plurality of protrusions provided at predetermined intervals on an outer surface of the belt member and protruding from the outer surface so as to be able to contact the product.

4. A part of the plurality of protrusions protrudes outside an outer peripheral surface of the rod, and another part of the plurality of protrusions facing a part of the plurality of protrusions is located inside the outer peripheral surface. The product suspension tool according to claim 3.

5. The outer peripheral surface of the rod has a top surface and a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, A part of the plurality of protrusions is provided at a position corresponding to the top surface and protrudes outside the top surface, Another part of the plurality of protrusions is provided at a position corresponding to the bottom surface and is located inside the bottom surface. The product suspension tool according to claim 4.

6. The belt member has a belt body, The protrusion has a slope portion where a protruding height from an outer surface of the belt body increases as it goes in a direction from the tip end portion toward the base end portion when the protrusion is at a position corresponding to the top surface. The product suspension tool according to claim 3.

7. The protrusion is a step portion provided on the base end portion side of the slope portion when the protrusion is at a position corresponding to the top surface, and has a step portion extending in a direction orthogonal to the outer surface from the outer surface of the belt body. The product suspension tool according to claim 6.

8. The protrusion has a square base portion directly connected to the belt body and a semi-circular portion formed above the square base portion. The product suspension tool according to claim 7.

9. The diameter of the arc surface of the first shaft portion is larger than the width of the protrusion in the circumferential direction of the belt member. The product suspension tool according to claim 3.

10. The diameter of the arc surface of the second shaft portion is larger than the width of the protrusion in the circumferential direction of the belt member. The product suspension tool according to claim 3.

11. The rod has a raised portion that bulges upward at the tip portion. The product suspension tool according to claim 1.

12. The rod includes a rod body having a U-shaped cross section and having the storage portion inside, and a cover member attached to the rod body so as to cover the storage portion. The cover member includes the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion. The product suspension tool according to claim 2.

13. A display shelf provided with the product suspension tool according to claim 1.

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