Patent ID: 6116321
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: B60J,E06B

Abstract:
A compact roller assembly having no central through-shaft comprising:a. a roller tube, said roller tube being constructed of a thin walled material, said roller tube comprising an inside surface and thus an inner circumferential dimension and both an inner diametrical dimension and an outer diametrical dimension, said roller tube further including an elongate dimension, whereby said roller tube is lightweight and contributes to a compact structure;b. a spiral or coil spring inside said roller tube, said coil spring having a substantially hollow core, said coil spring having two ends, said coil spring further having both an outer circumferential dimension and an elongate dimension;c. said roller tube including a first attachment means for securing the first of said two ends of said coil spring to said roller tube;d. a plurality of mounting plates each having an inner surface, said inner surface including a short axle shaft being disposed thereon, said axle shaft being generally cylindrical in shape and thus having a diametrical dimension, said diametrical dimension being minimally less than said inner diametrical dimension of said roller tube, said axle shafts being disposed inside both ends of said roller tube, said axle shafts further being separate and disconnected and independent of each other, whereby the central core of said roller tube remains hollow between said axle shafts and whereby said roller tube can rotate around said axle shafts;e. said plurality of mounting plates each further including an outer surface, said outer surface including a fastening means disposed thereon for securing said plurality of mounting plates to a secure surface, whereby said plurality of mounting plates can support said roller tube in a vertical, horizontal or angular orientation;f. said axle shafts each including a second attachment means for securing the second of said two ends of said coil spring, whereby rotation of said roller tube in one direction around said axle shafts winds said coil spring.