Patent ID: 6811132
Filing Date: 2004-11-02
Classification: F16C,F16M

Abstract:
A device for mounting on a support surface and for holding for a pole to which can be attached a web of material, said device comprising:(A) a plate for being mounted to said support surface; (B) a shaft that (1) defines a longitudinal axis of rotation; (2) has a first end and an opposite second end; (3) has a cam follower surface defined at said first end; and (4) has a radially projecting rib at said second end; (C) a first end cap that (1) is attached to said plate at a first location; and (2) rotatably retains said shaft first end; (D) a second end cap that (1) is attached to said plate at a second location spaced from said first location; (2) rotatably retains said shaft second end; and (3) defines two spaced-apart abutment surfaces for being engaged by said rib to limit the rotation of said shaft on said axis; E) a cam surface that is at said first end cap in a fixed orientation for mating with said shaft first end cam follower surface when said shaft is in a predetermined home position defined by a predetermined rotational orientation; (F) a holder that extends from said shaft and that defines a receiving hole for holding an end of said pole at an angle to said axis; and (G) a helical spring that is (1) received in said second end cap; (2) has one end restrained by said second end cap against axial movement away from said shaft second end; and (3) has another end for exerting an axial biasing force on said shaft second end for continuously biasing said shaft first end cam follower surface against said cam surface at said first end cap to urge said shaft toward said predetermined home position whereby said shaft can be rotated away from said home position if a sufficient torque is applied to said shaft and whereby said shaft returns to said home position when said sufficient torque is removed from shaft.