A clothespin and a hanger equipped with such clothespin

Abstract

To provide a pinch with a simple structure that can stably hold an object to be pinched while allowing it to be easily removed, and a hanger equipped with the same. [Solution] The device is provided with a pair of opposing clamping pieces 10 and a biasing means 80 for biasing the clamping pieces 10. Each of the two clamping pieces 10 is provided with a clamping portion 20 at one end and a gripping portion 40 at the other end in the longitudinal direction. The two clamping pieces are connected to each other so as to be rotatable around a pivot axis X1 that passes through the middle of the longitudinal direction and extends along the width direction. The biasing means 80 biases the two clamping pieces 10 so that the clamping portions 20 are close to each other and can come into contact with each other. Each clamping portion 20 is provided with a clamping surface 21 on its inside that is curved to bulge inward, and the clamping portions 20 are configured to come into contact with each other at each clamping surface 21, and each clamping surface 21 is shaped to conform to a spherical surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a clip and a hanger provided with the clip.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a structure that can easily pull out an object to be clamped without operating the clip has been studied for a clip for clamping an object to be clamped such as laundry.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a clip provided with a pair of clamping members, in which grooves are provided in parallel on the clamping surfaces for clamping the object to be clamped of each clamping member. Specifically, in this clip, a plurality of grooves along the longitudinal direction of the clamping member are formed on the clamping surface, and the grooves on one clamping surface and the grooves on the other clamping surface are configured to mesh with each other.

[0004] Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a clip provided with a pair of clamping pieces, in which a pair of portions acting as the force points of the clip body are connected by a suspension string, and when the clip is pulled downward, the clip is opened by the resistance of the suspension string.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] According to the structure of Patent Document 1, it is thought that the object to be clamped can be removed relatively easily by pulling it along the grooves formed on the clamping surface. However, in this structure, the contact area between the object to be clamped and the clamping surface is large because the object to be clamped is clamped along the bottom surfaces of multiple grooves. As a result, the clamping force applied to the object from the pinch is dispersed, and there is a risk that the object to be clamped will not be held sufficiently. For example, when an object to be clamped is suspended by the pinch, there is a risk that the object to be clamped may easily fall due to its own weight or external forces.

[0007] Furthermore, in the pinch described in Patent Document 2, in addition to the pinch body, a hanging string must be prepared and connected to the pinch body. In other words, the structure is complex, the number of parts increases, and the assembly time increases, making it disadvantageous in terms of cost.

[0008] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a pinch with a simple structure that can stably hold an object to be pinched while allowing it to be easily pulled out, and a hanger equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A pinch according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a pair of clamping pieces that are facing each other and have a shape extending in a predetermined direction, and a biasing means for biasing the clamping pieces, wherein the width direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the clamping pieces and the direction in which the two clamping pieces face each other, and with respect to one clamping piece, the side facing the other clamping piece is considered the inside and the opposite side is considered the outside, the two clamping pieces each have a clamping portion provided at one end and a gripping portion provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction, and in the middle The two clamping pieces are connected to each other so as to be rotatable around a pivot axis that passes through the space between them and extends along the width direction, and the biasing means biases the two clamping pieces in a direction in which the clamping portions are close to each other and so as to be in contact with each other, and each clamping portion has a clamping surface provided on its inside and curved so as to bulge inward, and is arranged so as to be in contact with each other at the clamping surface, and each clamping surface has a shape that follows the surface of a sphere (Claim 1).

[0010] According to the above configuration, the clamping surfaces that can contact each other are curved so as to bulge inward and have a shape that conforms to a spherical surface. Therefore, the object to be clamped, such as laundry, placed between the clamping surfaces can be clamped at points on each clamping surface. Consequently, the pressure that the clamping pieces apply to the object to be clamped by receiving the biasing force of the biasing means can be increased, and the object to be clamped can be held stably. Moreover, because the contact area between the clamping surfaces and the object to be clamped is kept small, and because the clamping surfaces are curved surfaces that conform to a spherical surface, it is possible to prevent the object to be clamped from getting caught on the clamping surfaces when pulling it out, and the object to be clamped can be easily pulled out from between the clamping surfaces. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, stable holding of the object to be clamped and easy removal can be achieved with a simple structure that configures the shape of the clamping surfaces as described above. In other words, the above effects can be obtained while avoiding an increase in the number of parts and assembly man-hours, making it cost-effective.

[0011] In the above configuration, preferably, the clamping surface is mirror-finished (Claim 2).

[0012] This configuration allows the object to be clamped to move smoothly across the clamping surfaces, making it easier to remove the object from between the clamping surfaces.

[0013] In the above configuration, preferably, each of the clamping surfaces contacts each other at a contact point on a plane extending along the pivot axis when the pinch is in a closed position with the two clamping surfaces in contact with each other, and the spherical surface along which each of the clamping surfaces lies is a spherical surface symmetric with respect to the plane (Claim 3).

[0014] With this configuration, regardless of the rotational position of the two clamping pieces, the innermost point on one clamping surface and the innermost point on the other clamping surface can be made the same in a direction perpendicular to the width direction and along a line passing through the rotation axis and the contact point. As a result, the object to be clamped can be more securely gripped at points on the clamping surfaces, and the object to be clamped can be held stably.

[0015] In the above configuration, preferably, the contact point is located in the center of the clamping surface in the longitudinal direction (Claim 4).

[0016] This configuration allows for a high clamping force to be applied to the object being clamped near the contact point of the clamping surfaces, while restricting the movement of the object in the surrounding area, thereby enabling more stable holding of the object.

[0017] In the above configuration, preferably, the contact point is located in the center of the clamping surface in the width direction (Claim 5).

[0018] This configuration allows for a high clamping force to be applied to the object being clamped near the contact point of the clamping surfaces, while restricting the movement of the object in the surrounding area, thereby enabling more stable holding of the object.

[0019] In the above configuration, preferably, a fillet is formed around the clamping surface of the clamping portion (Claim 6).

[0020] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent an object to be clamped from being caught by the clamping portion around the clamping surface, and it is possible to more easily pull out the object to be clamped, and it is possible to prevent the object to be clamped from being damaged by contact with the clamping portion.

[0021] In the above configuration, preferably, in the longitudinal direction, the radius of curvature of the fillet on the other side of the clamping portion is larger than the radius of curvature of the fillet on the one side (Claim 7).

[0022] According to this configuration, a portion of the object to be clamped located on the other side of the clamping surface, that is, the region on the rotation axis side, can be moved more smoothly along the fillet on the other side. Therefore, the object to be clamped can be more easily pulled out.

[0023] In the above configuration, preferably, in the width direction, the dimension of the knob portion is larger than the dimension of the clamping portion (Claim 8).

[0024] According to this configuration, the knob portion can be enlarged without increasing the overall size of the pinch, and the operability of the knob portion can be improved while reducing the weight of the pinch.

[0025] In addition, a hanger according to another aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of the above-mentioned pinches, a plurality of connecting members respectively connected to the plurality of pinches, a frame body for suspending the plurality of connecting members in a state separated from each other, and a hook for suspending the frame body (Claim 9).

[0026] According to this hanger, a plurality of objects to be clamped, such as laundry, can be stably suspended on a common hanger, and the plurality of objects to be clamped can be easily pulled out from the hanger.

Effect of the Invention

[0027] As described above, according to the pinch and hanger of the present invention, an object to be clamped can be easily pulled out while being stably held with a simple structure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a hanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A side view showing a pinch according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the clamping piece. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the clamping piece as seen from the back. [Figure 5] This is a side view of the clamping piece as seen from the inside in the inward-outward direction. [Figure 6] This is a side view of the clamping piece as seen along the width direction. [Figure 7] This is a side view of the clamping piece as seen from the front. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view when the pinch is cut along the plane corresponding to line VIII-VIII in Figure 5. [Figure 9] This is a side view showing a portion of the pinch mechanism when an object is being held. [Figure 10] This is a side view illustrating the operation of a pinch according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a side view showing a portion of the pinch mechanism in a comparative example where an object to be held is being gripped. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments are examples that embody the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0030] (Overall configuration of the hanger) The overall configuration of a hanger according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described using Figure 1. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a hanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the hanger 100 of this embodiment is a so-called square hanger and has a frame 110 having a substantially rectangular outer shape, and is equipped with a plurality of pinches 1, a plurality of connecting members 120 and hooks 130. In the following description of the hanger 100, the vertical direction when the hanger 100 is suspended as shown in Figure 1 will be simply described as the vertical direction.

[0031] Multiple connecting members 120 have the same shape as each other. The connecting members 120 are connected to the pinch 1. The connecting members 120 are connected to the spring 80 of the pinch 1, which will be described later.

[0032] The frame 110 is a component for suspending multiple pinches 1 while spaced apart from each other. The frame 110 suspends the pinches 1 via connecting members 120.

[0033] The frame 110 has a roughly rectangular outer frame 112 and four inner frames 114 that extend across the portions forming the long sides of the outer frame 112. The four inner frames 114 are arranged in parallel along the longitudinal direction of the outer frame 112.

[0034] The outer frame 112 can be folded in half. Specifically, the outer frame 112 consists of two members aligned along its longitudinal direction. These two members are connected so as to be rotatable downward from the state shown in Figure 1 (in the direction in which the longitudinal ends of the outer frame 112 move downward), around an axis X100 that passes through the center of the outer frame 112 in the longitudinal direction.

[0035] The outer frame 112 and each inner frame 114 are each provided with multiple hanging parts 116 for suspending the connecting member 120. The hanging parts 116 provided on the outer frame 112 are provided at approximately equal intervals along the outer frame 112. The hanging parts 116 provided on the inner frame 114 are provided at approximately equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the inner frame 114 (the short direction of the outer frame 112). The hanging parts 116 have a roughly U-shape that bulges outward from the outer frame 112 or inner frame 114, and define holes that penetrate vertically through the outer frame 112 or inner frame 114. The connecting member 120 is a so-called S-hook. One end of the connecting member 120 is detachably locked to the hanging part 116 with the hole inserted through it. The other end of the connecting member 120 is detachably locked to the spring 80 of the pinch 1.

[0036] The hook 130 is a component for suspending the frame 110. The hook 130 includes a hook body 131 and an opening / closing part 132. The upper end of the hook body 131 is provided with a substantially semicircular locking portion 131A. The opening / closing part 132 includes an opening / closing body 132A that extends from one end to the other in the radial direction of the locking portion 131A and is capable of closing the opening of the locking portion 131A, and an opening / closing operation part 132B for rotating the opening / closing body 132A between a position that closes the opening of the locking portion 131A and a position that opens it. By operating the opening / closing operation part 132B to open the opening of the locking portion 131A, the hook 130 and, consequently, the hanger 100 can be suspended from a clothesline or the like. Furthermore, by closing the opening of the locking part 131A in this suspended state, it is possible to prevent the hook 130 and, consequently the hanger 100, from coming off the clothesline pole or the like.

[0037] The hook 130 and the outer frame 112 are connected by four frame members 140. The frame members 140 are movable relative to the hook 130, and the hanger 100 is configured to change between a position where the frame members 140 extend upward from the outer frame 112 and the hook 130 is spaced upward from the outer frame 112, as shown in Figure 1, and a position where the frame members 140 and the hook 130 are at the same height as the outer frame 112. The hanger 100 is folded when the frame members 140 and the hook 130 are at the same height as the outer frame 112.

[0038] The hook 130 includes a door frame hook 133 that protrudes outward from the locking portion 131A and extends downward. The user can hang the hook 130, and thus the hanger 100, from a step formed to protrude from the wall surface, such as a door frame, by hooking the lower end of the door frame hook 133 onto the step.

[0039] In this embodiment, each of the two inner frames 114 is provided with a side hook 150 from which the frame body 110 can be suspended. The side hook 150 has a roughly C-shape. As shown in Figure 1, the side hook 150 is rotatable between a position along the frame body 110 and a position extending upward from the frame body 110. When the side hook 150 is in the position extending upward from the frame body 110, the frame body 110 can be suspended from a clothesline pole or the like using the side hook 150. The height position of the side hook in the position of use is lower than that of the hook 130. Therefore, when the frame body 110 is suspended from a clothesline pole or the like using the side hook 150, the position of the frame body 110 will be lower than when using the hook 130.

[0040] (pinch) The structure of Pinch 1 will now be explained. First, the overall general structure of Pinch 1 will be described. Pinch 1 is for gripping objects to be gripped, such as laundry. Figure 2 is a side view of Pinch 1. As shown in Figure 2, Pinch 1 has a pair of gripping pieces 10, 10 that are opposite to each other and have shapes that extend in a predetermined direction, and a spring 80 that biases the gripping pieces 10, 10. Each gripping piece 10 has a clamping portion 20 provided at one end in its longitudinal direction and a gripping portion 40 provided at the other end. The two gripping pieces 10, 10 are connected so as to be rotatable in the direction in which the clamping portion 20 moves toward and away from each other, with a pivot axis X1 passing through an intermediate position in their longitudinal direction as the pivot center. The spring 80 biases the two clamping pieces 10, 10 in a direction where the clamping portions 20, 20 are close together and the gripping portions 40, 40 are separated from each other, and the clamping portions 20, 20 are in contact with each other when the pinch 1 is not clamping an object and no external force is being applied to the pinch 1.

[0041] In this pinch 1, when the gripping parts 40, 40 are operated to move toward each other against the biasing force of the spring 80, a gap is formed between the clamping parts 20, 20, allowing the object to be clamped, such as laundry, to be placed between the clamping parts 20. Furthermore, when the operating force supplied to the gripping parts 40, 40 is removed while the object to be clamped is placed between the clamping parts 20, the biasing force of the spring 80 causes the clamping parts 20, 20 to move toward each other, and the object to be clamped is clamped by the clamping parts 20, 20.

[0042] Next, the details of the spring 80 will be described. The spring 80 consists of a curved, elongated member and undergoes elastic displacement in the direction in which the distance between its two ends increases or decreases. In this embodiment, the spring 80 has a shape in which a part of the annular ring is cut out and extends along a circular arc. When the spring 80 is spread apart from its natural state, where the distance between its two ends is a predetermined value, it generates an elastic force in the direction in which its two ends move closer together. The spring 80 is fixed to the clamping pieces 10, 10 in the state in which it has been spread apart from its natural state. Furthermore, both ends of the spring 80 are locked to the part of the clamping piece 10 that is on the clamping part 20 side with respect to the pivot axis X1, rather than the gripping part side. Thus, as described above, the spring 80 imparts an elastic force, or biasing force, to the two clamping pieces 10 in the direction in which the clamping parts 20, 20 move closer together. In this embodiment, the spring 80 is made of metal. Spring 80 corresponds to the "biasing means" of the present invention.

[0043] Next, the details of the clamping pieces 10 will be described. As described above, the two clamping pieces 10, 10 face each other. In the following, the opposing direction of the two clamping pieces will be referred to as the inward-outward direction, and for each clamping piece 10, the side facing the other clamping piece 10 will be referred to as the inside, and the opposite side as the outside. The two clamping pieces 10, 10 have the same shape. The two clamping pieces 10, 10 are connected in a position where they face opposite directions in the inward-outward direction. In the following description of the clamping pieces 10, basically only one clamping piece 10 will be described. In the following, the longitudinal direction of the clamping piece 10 will be referred to as the front-rear direction, with the clamping portion 20 side being the front and the gripping portion side being the rear. The direction perpendicular to the inward-outward direction and the front-rear direction will be referred to as the width direction. In addition, regarding the position of the clamping piece 10 and the pinch 1, the position in which the two clamping portions 20 are in contact with each other, as shown in Figure 2, will be referred to as the closed position.

[0044] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the clamping piece 10 as seen from the inside in the inward-outward direction. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the clamping piece 10 as seen from the outside in the inward-outward direction, i.e., from the back side of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a side view of the clamping piece 10 as seen from the inside in the inward-outward direction. Figure 6 is a side view of the clamping piece 10 as seen along the width direction. Figure 7 is a side view of the clamping piece 10 as seen from the front.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3, the clamping piece 10 has a clamping portion 20 at its front end and a gripping portion 40 at its rear end, as well as a connecting portion 30 and a spring locking portion 50 located midway in the front-rear direction. The clamping piece 10 also has a plate-shaped base portion 11 extending in the front-rear and width directions, an outer wall portion 12 rising inward from the periphery of the base portion 11 in the inward-outward direction, and a plurality of vertical wall portions 13, 14, and 15 extending inward from the base portion 11 in the inward-outward direction. The clamping portion 20, the connecting portion 30, the gripping portion 40, the spring locking portion 50, the base portion 11, and the plurality of vertical wall portions 13 to 15 are integrally formed with each other. In this embodiment, these components, i.e., the clamping piece 10, are made of synthetic resin.

[0046] The clamping portion 20 is plate-shaped and extends in the front-to-back and width directions. When viewed along the inward-to-outward direction, the clamping portion 20 is approximately circular. A more detailed description of the structure of the clamping portion 20 will be given later.

[0047] In the inward and outward directions, the clamping portion 20 is located spaced inward from the base portion 11, and the base portion 11 and the clamping portion 20 are connected via a part of the outer wall portion 12 and the first vertical wall portion 13. Specifically, the front end of the outer wall portion 12 extends outward in the inward and outward direction from the front part of the periphery of the clamping portion 20 toward the base portion 11. The first vertical wall portion 13 extends outward in the inward and outward direction from the rear part of the periphery of the clamping portion 20 toward the base portion 11.

[0048] The connecting portion 30 is the part that rotatably connects the two clamping pieces 10, 10. The pivot axis X1 of the two clamping pieces 10, 10 extends in the width direction through each connecting portion 30, 30. The connecting portion 30 includes a receiving portion 32 that extends in the width direction and two connecting pieces 34, 34 that extend inward from the receiving portion 32 in the inward and outward direction.

[0049] The receiving portion 32 has a plate-like shape that curves outward in the inward-outward direction. The receiving portion 32 extends along the outer circumferential surface of a cylinder with the pivot axis X1 as its central axis. As shown in Figure 5, etc., in this embodiment, a through hole 32A is formed in the middle of the width direction of the receiving portion 32, penetrating both its front and back surfaces in the inward-outward direction.

[0050] The two connecting pieces 34, 34 have the same shape as each other. The connecting piece 34 is plate-shaped and curves inward from the receiving portion 32 in the inward-outward direction. When viewed along the left-right direction, the connecting piece 34 has a pivot axis X1 as its central axis and is approximately semicircular in diameter, with a diameter approximately the same as the diameter of the receiving portion 32. One connecting piece 34 (hereinafter referred to as the first connecting piece 34A as appropriate) is provided at one end in the width direction of the receiving portion 32. The other connecting piece 34 (hereinafter referred to as the second connecting piece 34B as appropriate) is provided at a position spaced apart to one side from the other end in the width direction of the receiving portion 32. The outer wall portion 12 is provided with a retaining portion 12A facing the second connecting piece 34B. The retaining portion 12A is provided at the other end in the width direction of the receiving portion 32 and the clamping piece 10, and a gap is defined between the second connecting piece 34B and the retaining portion 12A.

[0051] Figure 7 shows one clamping piece 10 (solid line) and a portion of the connecting portion 30 of the other clamping piece 10, indicated by a dashed line. As shown in Figure 7, the first connecting piece 34A of the connecting portion 30 of one clamping piece 10 is fitted into the gap between the second connecting piece 34B and the retaining portion 12A of the connecting portion 30 of the other clamping piece 10, thereby connecting the two connecting portions 30, 30 and consequently the two clamping pieces 10, 10. Furthermore, as each connecting piece 34 of one connecting portion 30 slides along the receiving portion 32 of the other connecting portion 30, the two clamping pieces 10, 10 rotate around the pivot axis X1.

[0052] Similar to the clamping portion 20, the connecting portion 30 is also located spaced inward from the base portion 11 in the inward-outward direction, and the base portion 11 and the connecting portion 30 are connected via a part of the outer wall portion 12 and a pair of front and rear second vertical wall portions 14. Specifically, the middle portion of the outer wall portion 12 in the front-rear direction extends outward in the inward-outward direction from both ends of the connecting portion 30 in the width direction toward the base portion 11. One of the second vertical wall portions 14 extends outward in the inward-outward direction from the front edge of the connecting portion 30 toward the base portion 11. The other second vertical wall portion 14 extends outward in the inward-outward direction from the rear edge of the connecting portion 30 toward the base portion 11.

[0053] In this embodiment, the clamping piece 10 is provided with a third vertical wall portion 15 that rises inward from the base portion 11 in the inward-outward direction and extends in the front-rear direction across the front second vertical wall portion 14 and the first vertical wall portion 13. The third vertical wall portion 15 connects the widthwise central portion of the front second vertical wall portion 14 and the widthwise central portion of the first vertical wall portion 13. The widthwise dimension of the third vertical wall portion 15 is set to a value that is sufficiently smaller than the widthwise dimension of the base portion 11.

[0054] The gripping portion 40 is formed by the rear end of the base portion 11 and has a plate-like shape extending in the front-rear and width directions. The gripping portion 40 has a recess 41 that bulges inward in the inward-outward direction. The recess 41 is formed over almost the entire gripping portion 40. In other words, in this embodiment, the portion of the base portion 11 in which the recess 41 is formed functions as the gripping portion 40. The recess 41 is substantially along the surface of a sphere, and its center O40 in the width direction and front-rear direction is located furthest inward in the inward-outward direction.

[0055] As shown in Figure 5, the diameter L41 of the recess 41 and the widthwise dimension L40 (maximum widthwise dimension) of the gripping portion 40 are larger than the widthwise dimension L20 (maximum widthwise dimension) of the clamping portion 20. In this embodiment, the clamping piece 10 extends forward from the rear end of the connecting portion 30 with a substantially constant widthwise dimension. On the other hand, the widthwise dimension of the clamping piece 10 behind the connecting portion 30 gradually increases toward the rear until it reaches the position where it reaches the maximum dimension L40.

[0056] A spring insertion hole 60 is formed in the portion of the base portion 11 that is rearward of the connecting portion 30, and it penetrates through the base portion 11 in an inward and outward direction through which a spring 80 is inserted. The spring insertion hole 60 is an elongated hole that extends in the front-rear direction. The front-rear dimension of the spring insertion hole 60 is relatively long, and its rear portion overlaps the recess 41. Specifically, the spring insertion hole 60 is formed across a position between the center O40 of the recess 41 and its front end, and a position between the recess 41 and the connecting portion 30.

[0057] The spring locking portion 50 is the part that locks the end of the spring 80. The spring locking portion 50 has a shape in which a part of the base portion 11 is pushed inward in the inward-outward direction, and is recessed inward from the base portion 11 in the inward-outward direction. The spring locking portion 50 is provided between the clamping portion 20 and the connecting portion 30. In this embodiment, the spring locking portion 50 is provided on the rear side of the clamping portion 20, adjacent to it. The spring locking portion 50 is provided in the center in the width direction of the clamping piece 10. In this embodiment, the spring locking portion 50 and the third vertical wall portion 15 overlap.

[0058] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the pinch 1 when it is cut along the line VIII-VIII in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 8, one end of the spring 80 is locked to the spring locking portion 50 of one of the clamping pieces 10 by being fitted into it, and the other end is locked to the spring locking portion 50 of the other clamping piece 10 by being fitted into it. The spring 80 is locked to the spring locking portions 50, 50 by being inserted through the spring insertion holes 60, 60 of the two clamping pieces 10, 10, respectively. In this embodiment, the dimensions of the spring 80 and the spring insertion holes 60 are set such that the spring 80 is in substantially contact with the front ends of the spring insertion holes 60, 60 when the pinch 1 is in the closed position, as shown in Figure 8.

[0059] (Detailed structure of the clamping part) Next, the detailed structure of the clamping portion 20 will be described. On the inward-facing surface of the clamping portion 20, a clamping surface 21 is formed that curves outward in the inward direction. The clamping surface 21 occupies most of the inward-facing surface of the clamping portion 20, excluding the outer edge. As shown in Figure 2, the clamping portion 20 and the clamping surface 21 are positioned so that the two clamping surfaces 21 come into contact with each other when the pinch 1 is in the closed position. The clamping surface 21 is mirror-finished and has a smooth curved surface with low surface roughness.

[0060] The clamping surface 21 has a shape that conforms to the spherical surface R1. As shown in Figure 6, the center O1 of the spherical surface R1 that the clamping surface 21 conforms to is located in front of the pivot axis X1 and behind the front end of the clamping surface 21 in the front-rear direction. Also, as shown in Figure 7, the center O1 of the spherical surface R1 that the clamping surface 21 conforms to is located on a line L1 that passes through the center of the clamping portion 20 in the width direction.

[0061] As shown in Figures 2 and 6, when the pinch 1 is in the closed position, the clamping surfaces 21 of the two clamping pieces 10, 10 are both in contact with a plane F10 along the pivot axis X1, and the two clamping surfaces 21, 21 are in contact at a contact point P1 on this plane F10. As shown in Figure 2, etc., in the front-rear direction, the contact point P1 is located in the center of the clamping surfaces 21, 21, and the clamping surfaces 21 have a shape that is symmetrical in the width direction with respect to the center in the width direction, that is, the plane that passes through the contact point P1 and extends in the front-rear direction. Thus, the clamping surface 21 of one clamping piece 10 and the clamping surface 21 of the other clamping piece 10, which is arranged in the opposite direction in the inward-outward direction, are symmetrical in the inward-outward direction, and the plane F10 mentioned above coincides with the plane that serves as the reference plane for the symmetry of these two clamping surfaces 21, 21. In other words, the two clamping surfaces 21, 21 and the spherical surfaces R1, R1 along each clamping surface 21 have a symmetrical shape with respect to the plane F10 described above.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the contact point P1 is located in the center of the clamping surfaces 21, 21 in the front-to-back direction. In this specification, "center" is not limited to the exact center, but includes positions that are slightly off-center but can be considered substantially centered.

[0063] As shown in Figure 5, etc., a fillet is formed on the outer peripheral edge 22 of the clamping portion 20, around the clamping surface 21. In other words, the outer peripheral edge 22 of the clamping portion 20 is subjected to a so-called R-chamfering process, and the corners formed between the clamping portion 20 and the outer wall portion 12, and the corners formed between the clamping portion 20 and the first vertical wall portion 13 are rounded. The fillet is formed on the outside of the above-mentioned corners, on the portion exposed on the inside in the inward direction of the clamping portion 20.

[0064] In this embodiment, the radius of curvature of the fillet provided on the rear portion of the clamping portion 20, that is, the fillet provided on the rear outer peripheral edge 22A of the clamping portion 20, is set to a larger value than the radius of curvature of the fillet provided on the front portion, that is, the fillet provided on the front outer peripheral edge 22B of the clamping portion 20.

[0065] Specifically, a fillet with a constant radius of curvature is formed along the entire circumference of the outer peripheral edge 22A of the clamping portion 20, on the side in front of the center in the front-rear direction. If the radius of curvature of this fillet on the front outer peripheral edge 22A is taken as the basic diameter, the radius of curvature of the fillet formed on the outer peripheral edge 22B on the side in the rear of the center in the front-rear direction of the clamping portion 20 gradually increases from the basic diameter towards the rear from the boundary with the front outer peripheral edge 22A.

[0066] (effect, etc.) Figure 9 is a schematic side view showing the pinch 1 according to the above embodiment when an object to be pinched 300 is pinched. Note that Figure 9 shows only the area around the pinching portion 20 of the pinch 1. Figure 11 is a schematic side view of a pinch 200 according to a comparative example, showing the pinch 200 when an object to be pinched 300 is pinched. In the pinch 200 shown in Figure 11, the pinching surface 211 formed on the pinching portion 201 that pinches the object to be pinched is planar, and a plurality of protrusions 212 are formed on the pinching portion 201.

[0067] As shown in Figure 11, in the comparative example pinch 200, the object to be clamped 300 is clamped so as to bite into the projection 212 of the clamping surface 211. Therefore, the object to be clamped 300 is held stably. However, in the comparative example pinch 200, when attempting to pull the object to be clamped 300 out of the pinch 200, the object to be clamped 300 gets caught on the projection 212, making it difficult to pull out easily. Here, it is thought that if the projection 212 is removed from the comparative example pinch 200, it will be easier to pull out the object to be clamped 300. However, if the projection 212 is simply removed, the object to be clamped 300 will be clamped by the flat clamping surface 211, and the object to be clamped 300 will no longer be held stably. Specifically, when the object to be clamped 300 and the clamping surface 211 make surface contact, the force that the pinch 200 applies to the object to be clamped is dispersed and becomes smaller overall, which may cause the object to be clamped 300 to easily slip out of the pinch 200.

[0068] In contrast, in the pinch 1 according to the above embodiment, the clamping surface 21 has a shape that follows the spherical surface R1 and is curved so as to bulge inward in the inward-outward direction. Therefore, as shown in Figure 9, the object to be clamped 300 can be clamped between points P10, P10 on the two clamping surfaces 21. Consequently, the pressure that the pinch 1 applies to the object to be clamped 300, i.e., the elastic force of the spring 80, can be increased, and the object to be clamped 300 can be held stably. Moreover, the object to be clamped 300 can be moved smoothly along the clamping surface 21, and the object to be clamped 300 can be easily pulled out of the pinch 1. For example, when the hanger 100 is suspended from a clothesline or the like, and an object to be held is clamped in the pinch 1 of the hanger 100, the object can be easily removed from the pinch 1 simply by pulling it downwards, without operating the knob 40. Furthermore, because the object to be held 300 is clamped at two points P10, P10, and the clamping surface 21 has a shape that conforms to the spherical surface R1, the object to be held 300 can be moved smoothly regardless of the direction in which it is pulled. Therefore, the user can easily remove the object to be held 300 from the pinch 1 without worrying about the direction of tension, improving convenience. In particular, the above function can be achieved with a simple structure such as configuring the shape of the clamping surface 21 as described above, and stable holding of the object to be held and easy removal can be achieved while avoiding an increase in the number of parts and assembly man-hours, and thus an increase in cost.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the clamping surface 21 is mirror-finished. As a result, the object to be clamped 300 can be moved smoothly on the clamping surface 21, and the object to be clamped 300 can be removed more easily.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the pinch 1 is in the closed position, the clamping surfaces 21 of the two clamping pieces 10, 10 are both in contact with a plane F10 along the rotation axis X1, and the two clamping surfaces 21, 21 are in contact at a contact point P1 on this plane F10, and the spherical surfaces R1, R1 along which the two clamping surfaces 21, 21 are symmetrical with respect to the plane F10. Therefore, regardless of the rotational position of the two clamping pieces 10, 10, the position of the innermost point of one clamping surface 21 and the innermost point of the other clamping surface 21 can be made the same in the direction along the line L10 on the plane F10 that is perpendicular to the width direction and passes through the rotation axis X1 and the contact point P1. Therefore, the object to be clamped can be more reliably clamped between points on the clamping surfaces 21, and the object to be clamped can be held reliably and stably. Hereinafter, the innermost point of the clamping surface 21 will be referred to as the vertex.

[0071] Specifically, as shown in Figure 10(A), when the object to be clamped 301 is clamped in the pinch 1, the vertices of the clamping surface 21 are points P11, P11 that are different from the contact point P1. Also, the position of the vertices changes if the thickness of the object to be clamped is different. For example, as shown in Figure 10(B), when the thickness of the object to be clamped 301 is relatively small and the amount of rotation of the clamping piece 10 is small, the vertices P21, P21 are closer to the contact point P1 than the vertices P11, P11 when the thickness is large and the amount of rotation is large, as shown in Figure 10(A). However, in the above embodiment, regardless of the thickness of the object to be clamped and the amount of rotation of the clamping piece 10, the positions of the vertices of one clamping surface 21 and the vertices of the other clamping surface 21 in the direction along the line L10 are maintained to be the same. In other words, in Figure 10(A), the positions of the two vertices P11, P11 along the line L10 are the same, and in Figure 10(B), the positions of the two vertices P21, P21 along the line L10 are also the same. Therefore, regardless of the thickness of the object to be clamped and the amount of rotation of the clamping piece 10, the object to be clamped 301 can be brought into contact with both of the two clamping surfaces 21 at its vertices, and the object to be clamped 301 can be clamped at two points, namely the vertices P11, P11 (and the vertices P21, P21).

[0072] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the contact point P1 is located in the center of the clamping surface 21 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, a high clamping force can be applied to the object to be clamped near the contact point P1 of the clamping surface 21, while restricting the movement of the object to be clamped in the front and rear portions, thereby holding the object to be clamped more stably.

[0073] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the contact point P1 is located in the center of the width direction of the clamping surface 21. Therefore, a high clamping force can be applied to the object to be clamped near the contact point P1 of the clamping surface 21, while the movement of the object to be clamped can be restricted in the portion located around the contact point P1 in the width direction, thereby holding the object to be clamped more stably.

[0074] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, fillets are formed around the clamping surface 21 of the clamping portion 20, resulting in a smooth shape. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the object to be clamped from getting caught on the surrounding part of the clamping surface 21, making it easier to pull out the object to be clamped, and preventing damage to the object due to getting caught.

[0075] In particular, in the above embodiment, the radius of curvature of the fillet on the rear outer peripheral edge 22A of the clamping portion 20 is set to be larger than the radius of curvature of the fillet on the front outer peripheral edge 22B. Therefore, when pulling the object to be clamped out of the pinch 1, the portion located behind the clamping surface 21 can move more smoothly along the fillet, making it easier to pull out the object to be clamped.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the width dimension of the gripping portion 40 is larger than the dimension of the clamping portion 20. In other words, the dimensions of the gripping portion 40 are increased without increasing the overall size of the pinch 1. Therefore, it is possible to lighten the pinch 1 while making it easier to grip the gripping portion 40 and improving the operability of the gripping portion 40.

[0077] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a recess 41 is formed in the knob portion 40 that is recessed inward in the inward-outward direction. Therefore, the user can operate the knob portion 40 by placing the pad of their finger along the recess 41. Consequently, the feel of operation is improved.

[0078] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the spring insertion hole 60 has a relatively long dimension such that a part of it overlaps with the recess 41. Therefore, the pinch 1 can be made lighter while still having the recess 41. Also, in the above embodiment, a third vertical wall portion 15 is provided that connects the central part in the width direction of the front second vertical wall portion 14 and the central part in the width direction of the first vertical wall portion 13. Therefore, the rigidity of the pinch 1 can be increased. In particular, the third vertical wall portion 15 overlaps with the spring locking portion 50. Therefore, the rigidity of the part where the force from the spring 80 is relatively large can be increased, preventing damage to that part.

[0079] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the pinch 1 is in the closed position, the spring 80 is in near contact with the front end of the spring insertion hole 60, 60. Therefore, the contact between the spring insertion hole 60 and the spring 80 restricts the rotation of the clamping pieces 10, 10 in the direction that the gripping portion 40 moves outward in the inward-outward direction, as shown by arrow Y20 in Figure 8, and prevents the clamping pieces 10 from disassembling due to this rotation. For example, when unfolding the hanger 100 from a folded state, if the pinch 1 becomes entangled, a force may be applied to the pinch 1 in the direction shown by arrow Y20 in Figure 8, but in this case, the pinch 1 can be prevented from disassembling.

[0080] (modified version) In the above embodiment, the case in which the two clamping pieces 10, 10 have the same shape has been described, but their shapes do not have to be identical. Also, in the above embodiment, the case in which the clamping surfaces 21, 21 have shapes that are symmetrical with respect to the plane F10 has been described, but the clamping surfaces 21, 21 do not have to have shapes that are symmetrical with respect to each other.

[0081] A hanger only needs to include a plurality of pinches 1, a plurality of connecting members connected to each pinch 1, a frame that suspends the plurality of connecting members spaced apart from each other, and a hook for suspending the frame; its specific structure is not limited to the above.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the case in which the spring 80 has a shape extending along a circular arc was described, but the specific shape of the spring 80 is not limited to the above, as long as it biases the two clamping pieces 10, 10 in a direction in which the clamping parts are close to each other and the clamping parts 20, 20 are able to come into contact with each other. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 1. Pinch 10 Clamping piece 20 Clamping part 21 Clamping surface 30 Connecting part 40. Grip section 80. Spring (Biasing mechanism) 100 hangers 110 Frame section 120 Connecting member 130 hooks X1 Rotary axis P1 contact point R1 spherical

Claims

1. A pair of clamping pieces that are facing each other and have a shape that extends in a predetermined direction, The system includes a biasing means for biasing the clamping piece, The width direction is defined as the longitudinal direction of the clamping piece and the direction perpendicular to the opposing directions of the two clamping pieces, and for one clamping piece, the side facing the other clamping piece is defined as the inside and the opposite side as the outside, The two clamping pieces each have a clamping portion at one end and a gripping portion at the other end in their longitudinal direction, and are rotatably connected to each other around a pivot axis that passes through the middle portion in the longitudinal direction and extends along the width direction. The biasing means biases the two clamping pieces in a direction that brings the clamping portions closer together and so that the clamping portions can come into contact with each other. Each of the aforementioned clamping portions has a clamping surface provided on its inner side that curves inward and bulges outward, and is arranged so as to abut each other at the clamping surfaces. A pinch characterized in that each of the aforementioned clamping surfaces has a shape that conforms to a spherical surface.

2. In the pinch described in claim 1, The aforementioned clamping surface is characterized by being mirror-finished.

3. In the pinch described in claim 1, Each of the clamping surfaces contacts each other at a contact point on a plane extending along the pivot axis when the pinch is in a closed position with the two clamping surfaces in contact with each other. A pinch characterized in that each of the aforementioned clamping surfaces is aligned with a spherical surface that is symmetrical with respect to the aforementioned plane.

4. In the pinch described in claim 3, The pinch is characterized in that the contact point is located in the center of the clamping surface in the longitudinal direction.

5. In the pinch described in claim 3, The pinch is characterized in that the contact point is located in the center of the clamping surface in the width direction.

6. In the pinch described in claim 1, A pinch characterized in that a fillet is formed around the clamping surface of the clamping portion.

7. In the pinch described in claim 6, A pinch characterized in that, in the longitudinal direction, the radius of curvature of the fillet on the other side of the clamping portion is larger than the radius of curvature of the fillet on the one side.

8. In the pinch described in claim 1, A pinch grip characterized in that, in the width direction, the dimensions of the knob portion are larger than the dimensions of the clamping portion.

9. The device comprises a plurality of pinches as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, Multiple connecting members connected to each of the multiple pinches, A frame that suspends multiple connecting members, each spaced apart from the others, A hanger characterized by comprising a hook for suspending the frame.

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