Suspension device

1. A suspension device for suspending a sign or another article from an elongated object, which suspension device ( 1 ) comprises:

a base part ( 4 );

a holder ( 3 ), which is connected to the base part ( 4 ) and to which an article is attachable;

a first gripping shape ( 10 ) and a second gripping shank ( 20 ), which are pivotally mounted to the base part ( 4 ) and pivotable in relation to each other to and fro between an open position, in which the gripping shanks ( 10 , 20 ) are pivoted away from each other to allow an elongated object to be inserted between the gripping shanks, and a closed position, in which the gripping shanks ( 10 , 20 ) are pivoted towards each other to allow the n in shanks, to grip an object received between the gripping shanks and thereby clamp the suspension device ( 1 ) to the object; and

at least one spring member ( 5 a ) acting between the gripping shanks, against the action of which the gripping shanks ( 10 , 20 ) are pivotable from the closed position towards the open position, wherein

the first gripping shank ( 10 ) is pivotable in relation to the base part ( 4 ) about a first pivotal axis (S 1 );

the second gripping shank ( 20 ) is pivotable in relation to the base part ( 4 ) about a second pivotal axis (S 2 ), which extends in parallel with and at a distance from the first pivotal axis (S 1 );

the suspension device ( 1 ) comprises at least one gear mechanism ( 6 a ), which comprises a first gear member ( 15 a ) rigidly connected to the first gripping shank ( 10 ) and a second gear member ( 25 a ) rigidly connected to the second gripping shank ( 20 ), said first and second gear members ( 15 a , 25 a ) being in engagement with each other and arranged to be turned in relation to each other when the gripping shanks ( 10 , 20 ) are pivoted in relation to each other;

said gear mechanism ( 6 a ) constitutes a first gear mechanism of the suspension device ( 1 ):

the suspension device ( 1 ) also comprises a second gear mechanism ( 6 b ), which comprises a first gear member ( 15 b ) rigidly connected to the first gripping shank ( 10 ) and a second gear member ( 25 b ) rigidly connected to the second gripping shank ( 20 ), said first and second gear members ( 15 b , 25 b ) of the secons gear mechanism ( 6 b )being in engagement with each other and arranged to be turned in relation to each other when the gripping shanks ( 10 , 20 ) are pivoted in relation to each other;

the first gear mechanism ( 6 a ) and second gear mechanism ( 6 b ) are arranged in parallel with each other on opposite sides of the base part ( 4 );

the suspension device ( 1 ) comprises two covering plates ( 7 a , 7 b ) arranged opposite each other, the first gear mechanism ( 6 a ) being covered on its outwardly facing side by a first one ( 7 a ) of these covering plates ( 7 a , 7 b ) and the second gear mechanism ( 6 b ) being covered on its outwardly facing side by the other covering plate ( 7 b ); and

these two covering plates ( 7 a , 7 b ) are connected to each other through two pins ( 17 , 27 ) extending between the covering plates and through the base part ( 4 ), the first gripping shank ( 10 ) being pivotally mounted on a first one ( 17 ) of these pins and the second gripping shank ( 20 ) being pivotally mounted on the other pin ( 27 ).

2. A suspension device according to claim 1 , wherein the respective pin ( 17 , 27 ) is fixedly connected to one of said covering plates ( 7 a , 7 b ) and arranged to engage with a fixing member ( 8 a , 8 b ) of the other covering plate, which fixing member is adapted to the pin, in order to secure the covering plates to each other.

3. A suspension device according to claim 1 , wherein the respective gripping shank ( 10 , 20 ) and the gear member or gear members ( 15 a , 15 b , 25 a , 25 b ) connected to this gripping shank are formed in one piece.

4. A suspension device according to claim 1 , wherein the first gripping member ( 15 a , 15 b ) of the respective gear mechanism ( 6 a , 6 b ) is pivotable about the first pivotal axis (S 1 ), and the second gear member ( 25 a , 25 b ) of the respective gear mechanism ( 6 a , 6 b ) is pivotable about the second pivotal axis (S 2 ).

5. A suspension device according to claim 1 , wherein the holder ( 3 ) is rigidly connected to the base part ( 4 ), the holder and the base part preferably being formed in one piece.

6. A suspension device for suspending a sign or another article from an elongated object, which suspension device ( 1 ) comprises;

a base part ( 4 );

a holder ( 3 ), which is connected to the base part ( 4 ) and to which an article is attachable;

a first gripping shank ( 10 ) and a second gripping shank ( 20 ), which are pivotally mounted to the base part ( 4 ) and pivotable in relation to each other to and fro between an open position, in which the gripping shanks ( 10 , 20 ) are pivoted away from each other to allow an elongated object to be inserted between the gripping shanks, and a closed position, in which the gripping shanks ( 10 , 20 ) are pivoted towards each other to allow the gripping shanks to grip an object received between the gripping shanks and thereby clamp the suspension device ( 1 ) to the object; and

at least one spring member ( 5 a ) acting between the gripping shanks, against the action of which the gripping shanks ( 10 , 20 ) are pivotable from the closed position towards the open position, wherein

the first gripping shank ( 10 ) is pivotable in relation to the base part ( 4 ) about a first pivotal axis (S 1 );

the second gripping shank ( 20 ) is pivotable in relation to the base part ( 4 ) about a second pivotal axis (S 2 ), which extends in parallel with and at a distance from the first pivotal axis (S 1 );

the suspension device ( 1 ) comprises at least one gear mechanism ( 6 a ), which comprises a first gear member ( 15 a ) rigidly connected to the first gripping shank ( 10 ) and a second gear member ( 25 a ) rigidly connected to the second gripping shank ( 20 ), said first and second gear members ( 15 a , 25 a ) being in engagement with each other and arranged to be turned in relation to each other when the gripping shanks ( 10 , 20 ) are pivoted in relation to each other;

said spring member ( 5 a ) constitutes a first spring member of the suspension device ( 1 );

the suspension device ( 1 ) also comprises a second spring member ( 5 b ) acting between the gripping shanks ( 10 , 20 ), against the action of which the gripping shanks ( 10 , 20 ) are pivotable from the closed position towards the open position; and

the first spring member ( 5 a ) and the second spring member ( 5 b ) are arranged in parallel with each other on opposite sides of the base part ( 4 ).

7. A suspension device according to claim 6 , wherein the respective spring member ( 5 a , 5 b ) is a tension spring.

8. A suspension device according to claim 7 , wherein

the respective spring member ( 5 a , 5 b ) extends between an attachment point ( 13 ) of the first gripping shank ( 10 ) and an attachment point ( 23 ) of the second gripping shank ( 20 ); and

said attachment points ( 13 , 23 ) are located on the gripping shanks ( 10 , 20 ) in such a manner that said attachment points ( 13 , 23 ) are located on one side of said pivotal axes (S 1 , S 2 ) when the gripping shanks ( 10 , 20 ) are in the closed position and said attachment points ( 13 , 23 ) are located on an opposite side of the pivotal axes (S 1 , S 2 ) when the gripping shanks ( 10 , 20 ) are in the open position.

9. A suspension device according to claim 2 , wherein the respective gripping shank ( 10 , 20 ) and the gear member or gear members ( 15 a , 15 b , 25 a , 25 b ) connected to this gripping shank are formed in one piece.

10. A suspension device according to claim 9 , wherein the first gripping member ( 15 a , 15 b ) of the respective gear mechanism ( 6 a , 6 b ) is pivotable about the first pivotal axis (S 1 ), and the second gear member ( 25 a , 25 b ) of the respective gear mechanism ( 6 a , 6 b ) is pivotable about the second pivotal axis (S 2 ).

11. A suspension device according to claim 3 , wherein the first gripping member ( 15 a , 15 b ) of the respective gear mechanism ( 6 a , 6 b ) is pivotable about the first pivotal axis (S 1 ), and the second gear member ( 25 a , 25 b ) of the respective gear mechanism ( 6 a , 6 b ) is pivotable about the second pivotal axis (S 2 ).

12. A suspension device according to claim 2 , wherein the first gripping member ( 15 a , 15 b ) of the respective gear mechanism ( 6 a , 6 b ) is pivotable about the first pivotal axis (S 1 ), and the second gear member ( 25 a , 25 b ) of the respective gear mechanism ( 6 a , 6 b ) is pivotable about the second pivotal axis (S 2 ).