Abstract:
A vertically adjustable fixture, such as a ceiling hook, comprises a base member adapted to be secured to an overhead surface, e.g. a ceiling, a beaded cable retractable in and extendable out of the base member, and a hook at a lower end of the cable for connection to an article such that the article may be suspended from the ceiling. An extension/retraction mechanism provided in the base member includes a fixed axle and a reel rotatable around the axle, with a spring force existing therebetween, the cable being partly wound around the reel. The elevation of the hook is maintained by one of the beads of the cable firmly lodging, in a locked position thereof, in a recess defined at the bottom of the cover. Manipulation of the cable to dislodge the bead from the recess unlocks the cable, thereby allowing the elevation of the hook to be adjusted.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to ceiling-mounted fixtures and, more particularly, to a device that can be mounted to a ceiling for suspending an article, e.g. a plant, from the ceiling.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     It is well known to secure hooks to a room&#39;s ceiling in order to suspend from the hook various articles, such as planters.  
         [0005]     When it is desired to access the planter, for instance for watering purposes, one must generally stretch upwardly in order To reach the planter or must even step on a chair as planters are generally suspended in a substantially elevated position in order not to impede circulation of people in their vicinity.  
         [0006]     The difficulties encountered while trying to reach an article suspended from a ceiling hook may even be dangerous, for instance when substantially aged people use chairs or other elevation means to access the planter.  
         [0007]     Some devices have been developed to raise and lower a suspended plant, such as the Adjustable plant handing device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,971, which issued on Nov. 19, 1991 to Gaube. The height adjustable device of this Patent comprises a locking mechanism mounted above the planter, a handle and a cable attached at a first end thereof to the planter and at second end thereof to a reel biasedly mounted in the handle. The cable passes through the locking member and is partly wound around the handle&#39;s reel. The locking mechanism includes a pair of fixed wheels which guide the cable therethrough, and a toothed locking arm pivotally mounted therein. The, locking aim is biased towards a first one of the wheels, whereby the cable can be secured between the locking arm and the first wheel. Tension provided in the cable by the handle draws the locking arm away from the cable so as to release the latter and allow movement thereof through the locking mechanism, whereby the planter can be selectively raised and lowered. The toothed locking arm returns to a cable locking position against the first wheel by providing a sudden slack in the cable via the handle. A disengageable brake acting on the reel allows the handle to be positioned at various elevations.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a novel ceiling fixture that allows an article attached thereto to be raised and lowered.  
         [0009]     It is also an aim of the present invention to provide a ceiling fixture that allows an article attached thereto to be raised and lowered and which can selectively lock the article at various elevations.  
         [0010]     Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a vertically adjustable fixture adapted to be secured to an overhead surface, comprising a base member adapted to be secured to a surface, a flexible elongated member retractable in and extendable out of said base member, a rotatable reel provided in said base member with said elongated member being partly wound around said reel, and a locking mechanism adapted in a locked position to lock said elongated member with respect to said base member, with said elongated member being selectively displaceable to disengage said locking mechanism to an unlocked position thereby allowing said elongated member to be displaced relative to said base member by selectively retracting said elongated member into, or withdrawing it from, said base member.  
         [0011]     More particularly, said locking mechanism is provided in said base member, said elongated member including a series of spaced apart enlargements distributed thereon, said locking mechanism being adapted to engage in said locked position at least one of said enlargements thereby preventing said elongated member from further unwinding from said reel.  
         [0012]     Typically, said enlargements include beads that are substantially equally spaced one after the other. For instance, said elongated member can comprise a string extending through said beads, said beads being fixedly mounted to said string.  
         [0013]     Furthermore, said locking member can include a receiving means adapted to receive therein one of said enlargements, said elongated member between said enlargements thereof being slidable in and out of said receiving means when said one of said enlargements is dislodged from said receiving means. In such a case, said receiving means can comprise an angled retention element that opens up onto an opening defined at a lower end of said base member and through which said elongated member extends.  
         [0014]     For example, said retention element comprises a recess adapted to receive said one of said beads, and a notch joining said opening and a bottom of said recess, said elongated member between said enlargements thereof being slidable in and out of said recess via said notch, wherein in said locked position said one bead is lodged in said recess with gravity forces acting downwardly on said elongated member retaining said one bead in said recess, and wherein, to disengage said one bead from said locking member, said gravity forces are sufficiently opposed for allowing said one bead to be removed from said recess thereby allowing said elongated member to be wound around, or unwound from, said reel for changing an elevation of an article suspended by said elongated member.  
         [0015]     Alternatively, said retention element comprises a pair of spaced apart fingers defining a gap therebetween which communicates at one end thereof with said opening and which is sufficiently closed at an opposed end thereof, said elongated member between said enlargements thereof being adapted to be received in said gap while said one bead is supported by said fingers, wherein in said locked position said one bead is supported by said fingers gravity forces acting downwardly on said elongated member retaining said one bead on said fingers, and wherein, to disengage said one bead from said locking member, said gravity forces are sufficiently opposed for allowing said one bead to be withdrawn from said fingers Thereby allowing said elongated member to be wound around, or unwound from, said reel for changing an elevation of an article suspended by said elongated member. Typically, said fingers are angled downwardly in a direction away from said opening of said base member.  
         [0016]     Moreover, a shaft is fixedly mounted in said base member, said reel being rotatable about said shaft, a biasing means being provided between said reel and a fixed part of one of said base member and said shaft, said biasing means being adapted to encourage winding of said elongated member around said reel. Said biasing means exerts a spring force less than a downward force exerted on said reel by an article suspended from said elongated member, whereby in a suspended position of The article, said locking mechanism retains said one of said enlargements in said locked position, whereas to disengage said one bead from said locking member, said downward forces are sufficiently opposed to allow said elongated member to assume said unlocked position thereby allowing said elongated member to be wound around, or unwound from, said reel for changing an elevation of the article.  
         [0017]     Also, a shaft flange is generally provided on said shaft outwardly of said reel, said reel including a hub for receiving windings of said elongated member therearound, said hub being rotatably mounted around said shaft, first and second reel flanges being provided at opposed ends of said hub for retaining said windings around said hub. Said hub may be of frusto-conical shape.  
         [0018]     A wall may extend between said shaft flange and said first reel flange thereby defining a chamber, said biasing means extending in said chamber between said reel and said fixed part. Preferably, said biasing means comprises a coiled spring.  
         [0019]     Typically, an opening is defined at a lower end of said base member, said elongated member extending through said opening, said shad being off-center with respect To said opening for providing a proper orientation to said elongated member at, and/or adjacent to, said locking member.  
         [0020]     Advantageously, a marking is provided on an outside surface of said base member for indicating to a user at least one direction in which said elongated member is to be displaced lo move said locking mechanism to said unlocked position.  
         [0021]     Furthermore, said shaft may be angled with respect to a vertical plane extending through a portion of said elongated member which extends outwardly of said base member and along said direction.  
         [0022]     Typically, a connector is provided at an end of said elongated member, which is located outside of said base member, said connector being adapted for suspending an item therefrom.  
         [0023]     Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a vertically adjustable fixture adapted to be secured to an overhead surface, comprising a base member adapted to be secured to a surface, a flexible elongated member retractable in and extendable out of said base member, and a locking mechanism adapted in a locked position to lock said elongated member with respect to said base member, with said elongated member being selectively displaceable to disengage said locking mechanism to an unlocked position thereby allowing said elongated member to be displaced relative to said base member by selectively retracting said elongated member into, or withdrawing it from, said base member.  
         [0024]     Further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a vertically adjustable fixture adapted to be secured to an overhead surface, comprising a base member adapted to be secured to a surface, and a flexible elongated member retractable in and extendable out of said base member, said base member including a fixed member adapted to be mounted to the surface, a mobile member and a locking member, said locking member being adapted in a locked position thereof to lock said mobile member to said fixed member and being adapted in an unlocked position thereof to allow said mobile to displace relative to said fixed member while causing said elongated member to selectively retract into, or withdraw from, said base member.  
         [0025]     More particularly, said mobile member comprises a reel capable of rotation within said fixed member, said elongated member being wound around said reel, said locking member being adapted to engage or disengage said reel and thus respectively adopting said locked or unlocked position depending on a position of a portion of said elongated member extending below said base member, whereby said portion of said elongated member may be displaced for selectively moving said locking member into, or out of, engagement with said reel thereby respectively preventing or allowing said elongated member to be vertically displaced relative to said base member.  
         [0026]     Typically, said locking member is mounted to said elongated member within said base member, and a spring is provided between said fixed member and said mobile member for urging, when in said unlocked position, said elongated member towards a retracted position.  
         [0027]     Still further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for changing an elevation of an item suspended from a fixture, comprising the steps of:  
         [0028]     (a) providing a fixture having a base adapted to be mounted to an overhead surface, a flexible elongated member retractable in and extendable out of said base, an item attached to said elongated member being in a suspended attitude thereof, said elongated member being in a locked position with respect to said base;  
         [0029]     (b) elevating said item and displacing said elongated member sideways to an unlocked position thereof;  
         [0030]     (c) selectively winding said elongated member around said reel or unwinding it therefrom until said item is substantially at a desired elevation; and  
         [0031]     (d) handling said elongated member back into said locked position while releasing said item to said suspended attitude thereof. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0032]     Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which:  
         [0033]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a ceiling hook in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention shown in a first, retracted, position;  
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view, similar to  FIG. 1 , but showing the ceiling hook in a more extended position;  
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a ceiling hook in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0036]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the ceiling hook of  FIG. 3  minus an aesthetic cover thereof that is not shown in  FIG. 4  for illustration purposes;  
         [0037]      FIGS. 5A  to  5 D are respectively perspective, top plan, front elevational and side elevational views of a base of the ceiling hook of  FIGS. 3 and 4 ;  
         [0038]      FIGS. 6A  to  6 D are respectively perspective, top plan, front elevational and side elevational views of a reel of the ceiling hook of  FIGS. 3 and 4 ;  
         [0039]      FIGS. 7A  to  7 D are respectively perspective, top plan, front elevational and side elevational views of a locking mechanism of the ceiling hook of  FIGS. 3 and 4 ;  
         [0040]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a ceiling device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0041]      FIG. 9  is an elevational view of the ceiling device of  FIG. 8 ,  
         [0042]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of the portion of the ceiling device indicated by bubble  10 - 10  in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0043]      FIGS. 11 and 12  are respectively vertical front and side cross-sectional views of the ceiling device of  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0044]      FIG. 13  is schematic top plan view of  FIG. 11 ;  
         [0045]      FIGS. 14, 15  and  16  are respectively detailed front elevational, side elevational and top plan views of an axle of the ceiling device of  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0046]      FIGS. 17, 18  and  19  are respectively detailed front elevational, top plan and rear elevational views of a reel of the ceiling device of  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0047]      FIG. 20  is an enlarged view of the portion of the reel indicated by bubble  20 - 20  in  FIG. 19 ;  
         [0048]      FIG. 21  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the reel taken along line  21 - 21  in  FIG. 17 ;  
         [0049]      FIGS. 22 and 23  are respectively front elevational and top plan views of a cover of The ceiling device of  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0050]      FIGS. 24 and 25  are cross-sectional views taken respectively along line  24 - 24  and line  25 - 25  in  FIG. 23 ;  
         [0051]      FIGS. 26 and 27  are respectively top plan and front elevational views of a base of the ceiling device of  FIG. 8 ; and  
         [0052]      FIG. 28  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  28 - 28  in  FIG. 26 . 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0053]     In accordance with the present invention,  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a ceiling hook H′ that comprises a base  10 ′ adapted to be secured to a ceiling C′, a hook  12 ′ for suspending articles therefrom, such as planters, and a retractable cable  14 ′, or the like, that connects the hook  12 ′ to the base  10 ′. Generally, a lower end of the cable  14 ′ is fixedly attached to an upper end of the hook  12 ′, whereas an upper end of the cable  14 ′ is secured to a mechanism located inside the base  10 ′ and adapted to allow the cable  14 ′ to retract in, or to be extended from, the base  10 ′, thereby adjusting the elevation of the hook  12 ′ and thus of the article attached thereto. The base  10 ′ defines an elongated, e.g. oblong, opening  16 ′ in a lower wall  18 ′ thereof, with the cable  14 ′ extending downwardly through the base  10 ′ via the elongated opening  16 ′. The internal structure of the base  10 ′ will become more apparent from the following description of a variant ceiling hook H illustrated in FIGS.  3  to  7 .  
         [0054]     Accordingly, FIGS.  3  to  7  illustrate the ceiling hook H which is substantially similar to the ceiling hook H′ of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , except for the shape of their respective hooks and of the external covers of their bases. More particularly, the ceiling hook H comprises a base  10 , a book  12 , a cable  14 , and an elongated opening  16  defined in a lower wall  18  of a cover  20  of the base  10 .  
         [0055]     The hook  12  can obviously take various configurations, such as the closed hook  12  of  FIGS. 3 and 4  the open hook  12 ′ of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , etc.  
         [0056]     The base  10  comprises an annular member  22  adapted to be fixedly secured to the ceiling, the annular member  22  being shown in isolation in  FIGS. 5A  to  5 D. The annular member  22  comprises a substantially annular exterior housing  24 , an arm  26  extending radially inwardly from the housing  24  and a hub  28  extending downwardly from an inner end of the arm  26  and centrally of the housing  24 . The hub  28  defines at a lower end thereof a circular groove  30  adapted for receiving a circlip  32  for reasons which will become apparent hereinafter. The annular member  22  includes a coil spring  34 .  
         [0057]     The base  10  also includes a reel  36  which defines a central opening  38  such that the reel  36  can be rotatably engaged around the hub  28  and retained thereat with the circlip  32 . The reel  36  is thus rotatably mounted to the hub  28  and thus within the annular member  22 . The reel  36  is shown in isolation in  FIGS. 6A  to  6 D. The reel  36  defines an upper circular channel  40  and a lower annular array of ratchet teeth  42 .  
         [0058]     As seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4  and in isolation in  FIGS. 7A  to  7 D, a toothed locking member  44  comprises a central cylinder  46 , a radially extending arm  48  provided at its upper end with u locking element  50  defining a series of ratchet teeth  52 , and a pin  54  extending horizontally sideways of the radial arm  48 . The cable  14  extends through the cylinder  46  of the locking member  44 . The locking member  44  typically rests onto the internal surface of the cover  20  with its cylinder  46  having a lower end thereof engaged in the oblong opening  16 . When at rest, the cylinder  46  and he cable  14  extend vertically through the cover  20 , that is on an inside end of the oblong opening  16 , with the cylinder  46  and the cable  14  being generally co-linear with an axis of the hub  28  and a rotation axis of the reel  36 .  
         [0059]     The coil spring  34  is typically fixedly connected at opposed ends thereof to the housing  24  of the annular member  22  and to the reel  36 . The cable  14  extends upwardly from the hook  12  through the oblong opening  16  and cylinder  46 , through a central aperture  56  defined in the hub  28 , sideways and outwardly along the radial arm  26 , downwardly along the housing  24  and is then inwardly secured to the reel  36 , such that rotation of the reel  36  causes the cable  14  to wind on, or to unwind from, the channel  40  of the reel  36 . Rotation of the reel  36  is prevented by the engagement of the teeth  52  of the locking element  50  of the locking member  44  with the teeth  42  of the reel  36 .  
         [0060]     Accordingly, when it is desired to lower the hook  12 , from which for example there is suspended a planter, the planter is displaced sideways by the user, that is along the direction of the oblong opening  16  and towards an outer end thereof, such a movement of the planter and of the cable  14  causing the displacement of the cylinder  46  outwardly within the oblong opening  16 , thereby disengaging the locking member  44  from the teeth  42  of the reel  36 . Then, as the reel  36  is able to rotate within the annular member  22 , the user can allow the planter to displace downwardly by gravity, while the user supports the planter in its descent, until the planter is at a desired height, at which point the user brings the planter centrally under the ceiling hook H such that the cylinder  46  displaces inwardly along the oblong opening  16  and causes the locking element  50  connected thereto to engage the teeth  42  of the reel  36  thereby locking the reel  36  and thus retaining the hook  12  at the selected height.  
         [0061]     It is noted that, when the teeth  42  and  52  are disengaged from each other and during the lowering of the hook  12 , the cable  14  unwinds from the reel  36  against the bias of the coil spring  34 , with the cable  14 , as it unwinds, displacing inwardly along the arm  26 , downwardly through the aperture  56  of the hub  28 , through the cylinder  46  of the locking member  44  and Through the oblong opening  16 .  
         [0062]     When it is desired to raise the hook  12  and the article attached thereto, the hook  12 , typically by way of said article, is simply raised, and assistance is provided by The biased coil spring  34  which causes the reel  36  to rotate thereby gradually winding the cable  14  within the channel  40  of the reel  36 . Such a rotation of the reel  36  is not prevented by the locking member  44  in view of the ratchet-type configuration of the teeth  42  and  52  respectively of the reel  36  and of the locking element  50  of the toothed locking member  44 .  
         [0063]     It is noted that the cover  20  is not shown in  FIG. 4  for illustration purposes.  
         [0064]     FIGS.  8  to  28  illustrate a vertically adjustable device D also in accordance with the present invention, for suspending an article, e.g. a plant, from a ceiling. The device D comprises basically a base  100  (see also FIGS.  26  to  28 ) adapted to be secured to the ceiling, a cover  102  (see also FIGS.  22  to  25 ) adapted to be mounted to the base  100 , an extension/retraction mechanism including an axle  104  (see FIGS.  14  to  16 ) and a reel  106  (see FIGS.  17  to  21 ) both contained in the cover  102 , a strong beaded cable  108  partly wound around the reel  106  (as best seen in  FIG. 12 ) and extending through a lower end of the cover  102 , and a connector such as a hook  110  that is provided on the cable  108  outwardly of the base  100  and of the cover (and typically at a lower end of the cable  108 ) and to which the article (not shown) to suspend from the ceiling is attached. The base  100  and the cover  102  form a base member.  
         [0065]     The base  100  is mounted to the ceiling via an appropriate anchor A (see  FIG. 12 ) extending upwardly through opening  112  defined in the base  100  and into the ceiling. A lower downwardly extending rim  114  of the base  100  defines four slots  116  and four associated locking tabs  118 .  
         [0066]     The cover  102  includes at an upper end thereof four upwardly extending L-shaped locking tabs  120  adapted to be slid through the slots  116  of the base  100 , such that subsequent rotation of the cover  102  causes the locking tabs  120  thereof to slid above and along the locking tabs  118  of the base  100  and to thus become engaged therebehind, whereby the cover  102  is firmly secured to the base  100 . Bosses can be defined on upper surfaces of the locking tabs  118  to oppose the locking tabs  120  from displacing relative thereto in a direction that could result in The cover  102  disengaging from the base  100 .  
         [0067]     The cover  102  also defines four decorative indentations  122 . On the inside surfaces of two diametrically opposed ones of these recesses  122 , U-shaped clips  124  (see FIGS.  23  to  25 ) are provided with the ends of the axle  104  being fixedly engaged in these clips  124 . The cover  102  also defines a lower opening  126  and the axle  104  is slightly off-center with respect thereto (as best seen in  FIG. 13 ). A substantially half-spherical recess  128  is defined at the bottom of the cover  102  and adjacent to the opening  126  (see  FIGS. 23 and 24 ), with a notch  130  being defined at the interface of The recess  128  and the opening  126 . The cover  102  also includes thereinside a guide  132  (see FIGS.  23  to  25 ) for the beaded cable  108 .  
         [0068]     The axle  104  (see FIGS.  14  to  16 ) comprises a shaft  134  having opposed ends  136  that engage the U-shaped clips  124 . The axle  104  also includes a flange  138 .  
         [0069]     The reel  106  (see FIGS.  17  to  21 ) comprises a central opening  140  so that the reel  106  can rotate about the axle  104 . The reel  106  also includes a conical hub  142  and proximal and distal flanges  144  and  146 , respectively. A short cylindrical wall  148  extends outwardly from the proximal flange  144  with the flange  138  of the axle  104  abutting the free end of the wall  148  thereby forming a substantially closed chamber  150  (see  FIG. 12 ) The short cylindrical wall  148  defines a slit  152  for receiving one end of a coiled spring (not shown) that is mounted at its other end to the shaft  134  of the axle  104 . Therefore, when the hook  110  is pulled away from the cover  102 , the reel  106  rotates with the beaded cable  108  unwinding therefrom. Such a rotation of the reel  106  causes the end of the coiled spring attached to the wall  148  of the reel  106  also to rotate thereby creating a return force in the coiled spring (as its other end is fixed to the axle  104 ).  
         [0070]     The beaded cable  108  includes a series of beads  154  fixedly mounted in a regularly distributed manner onto a strong cable or string  155 . When an article is suspended from the hook  110 , with the weight of this article overpowering the return spring force, the article is held in a desired elevation by a given bead  156  (amongst the beads  154 ) of the beaded cable  108  being securely lodged in the spherical recess  128   20  (see  FIG. 11 ), and with the string  155  nesting in the notch  130 . Because of the weight of the article, the given bead  156  cannot accidentally dislodge from the spherical recess  128 . The recess  128  could be replaced by other various configurations, such as a pair or parallel fingers (e.g. in the form of a two-pronged fork) between which the string  155  could be slid, but with these fingers being close enough together to prevent the beads  154  from passing therethrough; The fingers could be angled downwardly in a direction away from the opening to force the bead  156  to be raised (as for the recess  128 ) before being disengageable from the fingers.  
         [0071]     If it is desired to vertically move the article, it is first manually slightly elevated so that the return spring force raises the given bead  156  such that it disengages from the spherical recess  128 . The article is then moved sideways away from the recess  128  ( FIG. 10  shows a marking  158  defined on the outside lower end of the cover  102 , which indicates in which directions the beaded cable  108  can be displaced so as to then allow raising and lowering of the article). Once the beaded cable  108  has been so displaced, it defines an angle relative to the vertical that allows the cable  108  to slide through the opening  126  in the cover  102 , that is without interference from the recess  128 , the string  155  being located outside of the notch  130 . The article can then be raised or lowered and subsequently locked into a new position by pivoting the beaded cable  108  back towards the vertical and into the notch  130  and by then slowly releasing the article, the weight of which causing a bead (i.e. the first bead located above the opening  126  and inside the cover  102 ) to nest in the spherical recess  128  and so become firmly engaged therein. The guide  132  ensures that the beaded cable  108  coming out of the reel  106  is at a proper angle relative to the recess  128  and opening  126 .  
         [0072]     The string/cable  155  of the beaded cable  108  can take the form of a string, a rope, a cable, etc., and can be made of various flexible materials. The use of the terms cable and string herein is meant to cover such various appropriate elongated members.