Abstract:
An apparatus for shielding an elevated fixture, such as a chandelier, ceiling fan or other elevated fixture to create a work volume proximate the fixture adapted to contain, illustratively, fixture cleaning materials.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/051,046, filed on May 7, 2008, entitled APPARATUS FOR CLEANING CHANDELIERS, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to apparatus for shielding an elevated fixture such as a chandelier, ceiling fan or other elevated fixture to create a work volume proximate the fixture adapted to contain, illustratively, fixture cleaning materials. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Once a fixture such as a fan or chandelier is installed in an elevated position (e.g., a ceiling), homeowners face the problem of cleaning the fixture. Some homeowners never try to clean the fixture, while others try piecemeal cleaning approaches such as removing chandelier crystals to hand wash and so on. Many homeowners cannot reach the fixture, such as with a chandelier installed in a foyer  20  with a high ceiling. Even chandeliers attached to lower ceilings still require cleaning, such as those found in a dining room or other room. Many homeowners are reluctant to spray cleaning solutions since they do not want to damage the fixture, walls, artwork or furniture that may be near the fixture. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Various deficiencies of the prior art are addressed by the present invention of an apparatus for shielding an elevated fixture, such as a chandelier, ceiling fan or other elevated fixture to create a work volume proximate the fixture adapted to contain, illustratively, fixture cleaning materials. 
     In one embodiment, an apparatus for shielding an elevated fixture comprises a portable assembly comprising a base portion; a vertical member coupled to the base portion; and a curtain support portion coupled to the vertical member, the elevation of the curtain support portion relative to the base portion being adjustable via the vertical member; the portable assembly being configurable between a collapsed position and an operational position, the collapsed position having size adapted to fit through a standard door opening; and a curtain sized to be suspended from the curtain support portion when the curtain support portion is in the operational position, the curtain having at least one side and a bottom, a top of the side adapted for coupling to the curtain support portion, the bottom having a drain port. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a shielding apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of a base portion of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in an erect or extended mode of operation; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in a folded or retracted mode of operation; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in a folded or retracted mode of operation; and 
         FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in an unfolded or extended mode of operation. 
     
    
    
     To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention will be primarily described within the context of an apparatus that enables the cleaning of fixtures such chandeliers, fans and the like. However, those skilled in the art and informed by the teachings herein will realize that the invention is also applicable to the formation of elevated workspaces for the cleaning or servicing of any elevated fixture where protection of items near the fixture is important. 
     Advantageously, the apparatus can reach chandeliers that hang over stairways, over tables that are too heavy to move, high ceilings without a lift to lower, and in other hard to reach places. The apparatus has the ability to move around obstacles in a room and, in one embodiment, to reach heights of approximately 20 feet. A curtain hangs from extended arms on the apparatus to wrap partially around the chandelier, forming thereby a workspace that protects the nearby surroundings from cleaning spray damage. 
     Advantageously, the apparatus also allows for cleaning without touching the chandelier, thereby eliminating the risk of damaging crystals or other hanging parts. 
     The various embodiments discussed herein are primarily discussed within the context of steel, aluminum or other metal frame components having a rectangular, triangular, round, oval or (generally) rectilinear cross sections. A frame component having an outer cross sectional dimension smaller than the inner cross sectional dimension of another frame component is able to slide into the other frame component. In some instances, extension components are described as be coupled with hinges or other folding means. In these instances, the inventor contemplates that the extension components may also be slidably engaged in the same manner as other frame components. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a shielding apparatus;  FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of a base portion of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  FIG. 3  depicts a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in an erect or extended mode of operation;  FIG. 4  depicts a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  and a folded or retracted mode of operation;  FIG. 5  depicts a front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in a folded or retracted mode of operation; and  FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in an unfolded or extended mode of operation. The various portions in some portions the shielding apparatus  100  will be discussed in conjunction with all of the figures, which figures share common reference numerals. 
     Specifically, for shielding apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1  generally comprises a base portion  110 , a vertical member  120  and a curtain support portion  130 . The base portion  110  cooperates with a set of wheels  140  provide mobility to the apparatus. The curtain support portion  130  supports a curtain  150  which is shaped to define thereby a workspace or work volume within which a fixture F is to be cleaned or otherwise processed. The curtain  150  includes bottom portion shaped to include a lower region with a drain port to drain cleaning fluid previously imparted to a fixture to be cleaned. 
     The base portion  110  comprises a main base member  111  upon which first  116 A and second  116 B posts are perpendicularly disposed. The main base member  111  comprises, illustratively, an aluminum frame having a substantially rectilinear shape that is capable of insertably or slidably receiving other frame components so that the base portion  110  may be effectively increased in size and, therefore, stability as a platform for the vertical member  120 . 
     First post  116 A is further supported by the first brace  117 A, which extends  20  from an upper left portion of first post  116 A toward a left portion of main base member  111 . The first  116 A and second  116 B posts are further supported by second brace of  117 B, which extends between an upper right portion of each of the posts toward a front portion of main base member  111 . 
     A lower portion of the vertical member  120  is disposed between the posts  116  and pivotally engaged with a pivot point or pin inserted through the lower portions of the posts  116  and a lower portion of the vertical member  120 . In one embodiment, the vertical member  120  pivots from a leftward (retracted) position to a vertical (extended) position where the portion of the second brace  117 B extending between the posts  116  operates as a stop to the further pivoting of the vertical member  120 . 
     The base portion  110  optionally include one or both of a left lateral extension portion and a right lateral extension portion adapted to provide further lateral support of the main base member  111 . Each of the left and right lateral extension portions optionally includes a secondary extension portion, illustratively a forward projecting secondary extension portion. 
     The optional left lateral extension portion comprises a U-shaped structure adapted to be slidably engaged with the left side of main base member  111 . The left lateral extension portion comprises rear extender  113 A, front extender  114 A and crosspiece  112 A. The front and rear extenders are slidably engaged with the left side of the main base member  111  to extend or retract crosspiece  112 A. 
     An optional secondary extension portion  115 A of the left lateral extension portion is slidably engaged with crosspiece  112 A to extend forward (as depicted in the figures) or backward (not shown) to provide thereby further support of the main base member  111 . 
     The optional right lateral extension portion comprises a U-shaped structure adapted to be slidably engaged with the right side of main base member  111 . The right lateral extension portion comprises rear extender  113 B, front extender  114 B and crosspiece  112 B. The front and rear extenders are slidably engaged with the right side of the main base member  111  to extend or retract crosspiece  112 B. 
     An optional secondary extension portion  115 B of the right lateral extension portion is slidably engaged with crosspiece  112 B to extend forward (as depicted in the figures) or backward (not shown) to provide thereby further support of the main base member  111 . 
     When extended, crosspiece  112 A is optionally locked into place via locking pin L 1 A, which extends through crosspiece  112 A and left rear extender  113 A. Similarly, when extended, crosspiece  112 B is optionally locked into place via locking pin L 1 B, which extends through crosspiece  112 B and right rear extender  113 B. Generally speaking, each of the extendable, slidably engaged, hinged or otherwise articulating members or portions of the embodiment described herein are optionally locked into an operations configuration using locking pins, ratchet mechanisms or other suitable securing means. Similarly, when in a folded or nonoperational configuration, suitable support mechanisms may be provided to ensure that metal portions are protected such that cosmetic or structural damage is avoided during transport and/or operation of the apparatus. 
     In one embodiment, the left and right lateral extension portions are formed as a single frame along which the main base member  111  is slidably engaged. That is, a four member (rectilinear) frame is formed using: (1) crosspiece  112 A; (2) crosspiece  112 B; (3) combination of rear extenders  113 A and  113 B; and (4) combination of front extenders  114 A and  114 B. The rear portion of this frame ( 113 A/ 113 B) slides within the rear portion of main base member  111 , while the front portion of this frame ( 114 A/ 114 B) slides within the front portion of main base member  111 . In this manner, the entire work area or chamber formed by the curtain may be moved laterally to enable improved access to fixtures. Thus, the base portion is formed as a first frame portion slidably engaged with a second frame portion to provide thereby lateral position adjustment of the vertical member. 
     In one embodiment, a locking mechanism TLOCK is provided to secure the vertical member  120  to the base  110  in a folded or retracted position, such as for transporting the apparatus. Locking mechanism TLOCK is depicted as being connected to left crosspiece  112 A, though any location suitable for restraining the vertical member may be used. 
     In one embodiment, a set of wheels supports the left and right lateral extension portions of the base portion  110 . Specifically, in this embodiment, crosspiece  112 A is supported by rear  141 A and front  142 A wheel assemblies, while crosspiece  112 B is supported by rear  141 B and front  142 B wheel assemblies. Further in this embodiment, the outermost portion of the secondary extensions (with respect to the lateral extension portions from which they emanate) is also supported by a wheel assembly  143 . 
     The vertical member  120  comprises, illustratively, three vertical member portions that cooperate to selectively define an overall length of the vertical member  120 . Specifically, lower vertical member portions  121  is pivotally engaged between the posts  116  as discussed above with respect to the base  110 . Middle vertical member portion  122  is coupled to lower vertical member portion  121 , while upper vertical member portion  123  is coupled to middle vertical member portion  122 . In general, the vertical member portions are coupled to each other via a mechanism adapted to control their respective extension. Specifically, referring to  FIG. 3 , each of the vertical member portions is coupled to one or more pulleys having wires or rope running there between to a crank  124 . The crank  124 , when rotated in the appropriate direction, operates to wind the wire or rope such that the pulleys of the vertical member portions are brought closer together, thereby extending the length of the vertical member  120 . 
     Optionally, the respective extension of the vertical member portions is controlled by any of a linear actuator, electric motor actuator, set screw, hydraulic actuator and/or pneumatic actuator. 
     The curtain support portion  130  is coupled to the top of the vertical member  120  (e.g., the top of upper vertical member portion  123 ). The curtain support portion  130  supports a curtain  150  which is shaped to define thereby a workspace or work volume within which a fixture is to be cleaned or otherwise processed. In various embodiments the curtain support portion  130  by workspace which (when viewed from above) is U-shaped, V-shaped, semi-circular in shape and so on. Anybody may depict in the various figures, the top view of the workspace is U-shaped. In general, the curtain support portion  130  is adapted to support a curtain  150  shaped to protect surrounding walls, furniture and the like from cleaning fluids or other processing materials used on the elevated fixture. 
     Within the context of the figures, the U-shaped curtain support portion is formed by a rear support member  134  attached to the top of the vertical member  120 . The rear support member  134  comprises left  134 A and right  134 B portions hinged from a center/rear support structure that is mated to the top of the vertical member  120 . The rear support member  134  is depicted in a left-right orientation in the various figures. Rear support member  134  is coupled (e.g., via a hinge) to each of a left  131 A and right  131 B perpendicular extension member to form there by a U-shaped curtain support portion  130 . 
     Optionally, the left  131 A and right  131 B perpendicular extension members may be further extended by, respectively, left  132 A and right  132 B support extension members. 
     Optionally, rear support member  134  is rotatably attached to the top of the vertical member  120  such that the access point to the workspace formed by the curtain (i.e., the aperture in the curtain) may be rotated to enable cleaning of the fixture from any useful angle. The optional rotation of the workspace or chamber, especially when coupled with the optional lateral shifting of the vertical member (see discussion of frame in frame slidable engagement with respect to base portion  111 ) provides great flexibility in positioning the chamber as needed where obstacles may exist in a room including a fixture to be cleaned or otherwise processed. 
     In operation, curtain  150  hangs from the curtain support portion  132  form thereby the workspace/work volume within which a fixture to be processed or cleaned is located (i.e., by appropriately positioning the base portion  110  of the apparatus  100 ). In this manner, the curtain provides protection to the nearby surroundings from cleaning spray damage from cleaning fluids and/or other processing materials used to process a fixture. 
     In a U-shaped embodiment, the curtain  150  includes, illustratively, bottom  151 , right  152 , back  153  and left  154  curtain portions. The bottom portion  151  of the curtain  150  is additionally shaped to include a lower region with a drain port  151 P used to drain cleaning fluid and other debris via, illustratively, a hose  161  coupled to a liquid storage container  162 . Optionally, a frame  151 -F is disposed about the bottom portion  151  of the curtain to provide mechanical rigidity where cleaning solutions, process materials and so on might operated to weigh down the bottom portion  151  such that the side portions  152 ,  153  and  154  might collapse inward. 
     The shielding apparatus as depicted in  FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment wherein the vertical member  120  is in an operational or erect position, while the shielding apparatus as depicted in  FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment wherein the vertical member  120  is in a nonoperational or collapsed position (e.g., such as for transport). The shielding apparatus as depicted in  FIG. 1  further illustrates an embodiment including deployed left and right lateral extension portions including respective front perpendicular extension members. 
     Within the context of transporting the shielding apparatus, the shielding apparatus folds/collapses into a size adapted to fit through a common door opening such as in a house. Standard single door sizes are typically 2.5 to 4 feet wide by 8 to 10 feet high. These and other sizes are used in single door, double door and sliding door configurations. 
     In one embodiment, the base of the device is made from an aluminum frame where the dimension of the base is L=52″×W=24″. The lateral sliding frame portions add more mobility to get around obstacles in the room. On the bottom of the base, there are 4 swivel casters, of which 2 include a brake device, plus 2 extension arms for stability and mobility (also with swivel casters). A system of twin rollers sit between the vertical member portions (columns) and sets of pulleys, with steel cables and a manually geared roller to operate the system. 
     The vertical member portion or system connects to the main base with a pin and is built with 3 main columns and a locked handle, where the cables have been stretched between them. 
     The device folds to a minimum of 20 inches. The length is 7 feet and the width is 24 inches. This allows for easy transport and less storage space and one person lifting capability. The height and width of the device allows for entry into home and into all rooms, doors, hallways, etc. It allows for easy maneuvering around furniture, heavy tables and also above tables. 
     Connected to the device are, optionally, two types of extensions which include: small and large arms (6 ft×6 ft and 4½ ft×4½ ft) which are locked by removable safety pins. The extended arms can be added to the device either while in the folded (nonoperational) position or upright (operational) position, and can be placed pointing in any of several directions, such as three different directions (front and two sides). 
     Operation of device is straightforward, the apparatus is brought into a house with a fixture to be cleaned, positioned under the fixture, opened up, extended to reach the fixture (as necessary) and locked in place. The large extension gives the ability to extend the height by 6 ft, if needed. The extension is raised and lowered by a portable handle, which is maneuvered inside the lead column groove. 
     On top of the open stretched arms, a clear vinyl chamber (i.e., a work volume or area) encases the open stretched arm extensions (6 ft×6 ft) for large arm extension and (4½ ft×4½ ft) for small arm extension. On the bottom of the chamber, on all 4 sides are narrow sleeves, which allow the aluminum stretchers to be placed. Two rods are placed on sides of chamber. Two hollow tubes are placed in front and back. They connect together on all four corners and give the chamber a square shape, while also allowing for stretching. In the middle of the bottom chamber, there is a drain port, which connects to a hose. 
     When opening this embodiment of the device, from a folding to upright position, with arm extension already in place, a minimum height of this embodiment is about 7 feet, and a maximum height of this embodiment is about 20 feet. Different minimum and maximum heights may be optionally provided. 
     After device has been in place to do job and the chamber has been stretched to right size, the top/side only is open. The process of lifting to required height is with the help of a pulley system, the chandelier is surrounded by, illustratively, three sides and a bottom. 
     The final adjustment of the chamber is to move the secondary frame left or right or swivel device 360 degrees, which depends on the condition of the room and existing obstacles in the room. 
     Optionally, more or fewer than two operational arms are used, such as where there are difficulties encountered in achieving the proper shielding position for a particular fixture. 
     Various curtain materials may be used, such as plastic, vinyl, cloth and so on. The selection of curtain material is made in view of the fixture to be processed, the type of processing and so on. In various embodiments the curtain material is clear so that a light may be directed through the curtain at the fixture to be cleaned or otherwise processed. 
     While the foregoing is directed to various embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. As such, the appropriate scope of the invention is to be determined according to the claims, which follow.