Patent ID: 7025218
Filing Date: 2006-04-11
Classification: B66C

Abstract:
1. A lightweight hoist system for raising and lowering vinyl sign faces or extensions for a billboard having a billboard structure including a walkway, the hoist system comprising: a cantilevered lightweight pole assembly with a lightweight fiber reinforced polymer pole member and a winch assembly, the pole member having a first relatively straight portion and a second relatively straight portion, wherein a bend is situated between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the first relatively straight portion is at an angle with respect to the second relatively straight portion, wherein the pole member has a length, the length and the angle being sufficient to provide adequate height and reach to handle the vinyl sign faces or extension from the walkway for installation and for removal; a mounting structure allowing the lightweight pole assembly to be easily fastened and unfastened from a raising and lowering position by a single person and wherein the mounting structure is able to be attached to the billboard structure; and the winch assembly having at least one component coupled to the pole member, the winch assembly being capable of winding a flexible line, wherein the winch assembly can be used to raise or lower the vinyl sign faces or extensions via the flexible line, wherein the lightweight pole assembly can be easily carried on the walkway of the billboard and stored out of viewing sight on the billboard structure by the single person.