Abstract:
A dynamic system for elevating and bracing horizontal load bearing arms carried by one or more vertical members, singularly or in pairs. The arm and brace system of the present invention is adapted to allow a load to be raised to an elevated storage position and then easily and promptly lowered for access as needed. The design is scaleable to accommodate three-dimensional specifications particular to an application, and adaptable to lifting mechanisms of various weight capacities.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     An arm and brace system for use in page style displays, modular storage units, and similar applications, such as, but not limited to, that used for the display, storage, and handling of rugs and carpets. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The display, handling, and storage of large goods engender special solutions in keeping with the nature of the merchandise to be sold. Products such as rugs, carpets, drapery fabrics and similar goods have inspired the design and manufacture of special equipment in response to the unique display, handling, and storage problems associated therewith. Showing rugs in particular, raises a number of challenging problems. Rugs are offered and desired in a large variety of qualities, colors, patterns, and sizes. To appeal to the general public, large assortments are generally offered. However the merchant must resolve conflicting issues inherent between the efficient utilization of selling space and the requirement for an effective presentation method. The trade-offs often lead to a solution that is a compromise at best. 
     Buyers insist on seeing the full rug before making a purchase. Efficiency of space will generally dictate that the rugs be stored and displayed in a compact manner. Two methods are common. The first is as old as the market itself. Selling from piles. To meet the buyer&#39;s demand to see all of the rug and make comparisons between rugs, laborers must be employed by the merchant to manipulate the rug piles. Selling from rug piles has the advantage of allowing the sales person to talk with the buyer and draw the buyer out as to their real needs and desires. It also has the psychological advantage of requiring the buyer to invest their time and sympathy in the sale; thereby helping to build a commitment towards the purchase. The limitations of this method were and are obvious. This is a labor and time intensive sale, a luxury that only makes sense at the high end of the market. 
     The second method seeks to address the limitations inherent with selling from rug piles, however this solution created new limitations of its own. Rack systems were developed at the end of the 1800&#39;s, such as U.S. Pat. No. 487,110 to Best (1892), which is based upon the concept of page type displays. In the Best invention, rugs hung on pivoting arm and brace assemblies swing back and forth in book fashion and can be viewed quickly and efficiently. The trade off for the merchant and buyer is that the rug must be viewed in an unnatural position, vertically rather than horizontally. In addition, a merchant using the display equipment, has the problem of hanging the rug up, and then getting it back down. 
     Several attempts have been made to improve upon the swinging rug arm method. All involve schemes that incorporate a feature to raise and lower the rug arm. Various designs were developed in the early 1900&#39;s using some form of rope &amp; pulley system to raise and lower a page style rug arm: U.S. Pat. No. 806,705 to O&#39;Neal (1905); U.S. Pat. No. 1,006,345 to Edwards (1911); U.S. Pat. No. 1,099,345 to Dougherty (1914); U.S. Pat. No. 1,162,989 to Doran (1915); U.S. Pat. No. 1,180,480 to Dougherty (1916), U.S. Pat. No. 1,745,713 to Reed (1930); and U.S. Pat. No. 2,000,336 to Kerr (1935). These solutions had limited commercial success due to some obvious mechanical drawbacks, namely poor space efficiency when compared to fixed rug arms and braces, and physically awkward manually operated rope and pulley mechanics. 
     Two more recent designs involve the use of power driven equipment to raise and lower the arms. One scheme disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,187,900 to Schneider (1965) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,315,813 to Schneider (1967) uses a massive lift to raise and lower a bank of several display arms using a floating platform and arm pivot support. It requires an elevating mechanism for the platform to be built into the display&#39;s supporting framework. Because the arms must be raised and lowered in multiples rather than individually, the design is cumbersome with multiple rugs folded and draped on the floor in the lowered position, and more limited in space efficiency than the single arm or unit plan design of the present invention. It is also inherently expensive, requiring a heavy electric motor and lifting apparatus for each bank of arms. More recently, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,011 to Kostigian (1994), a Canadian company has revived the rope and pulley concepts from the early 1900&#39;s, updating the rope and pulley concept from U.S. Pat. No. 2,000,336 to Kerr (1935) using a wench and cable mechanism, to raise or lower rug arms that display large rugs. The design has had some success in Europe and Canada, but only limited success in the United States due to its expense and poor space efficiency when compared to existing traditional rug arm systems. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION—OBJECTIVES AND ADVANTAGES 
     The purpose of this invention is to address the issues summarized above, namely: the raising and lowering of rug display arms in a simple, convenient, easy to operate, space efficient, and cost efficient manner. In addition the solution suggests applications beyond rug display .to include adaptations of the arm and brace system for the many items that can benefit from an elevated display or storage position such as: drapery fabrics, beach towels, large sheet goods of any kind, as well as sporting goods like sleeping bags, and even awkward-to-display merchandise like bicycles. When configured in pairs, the invention allows for raising and lowering of storage baskets, shelving, cabinet boxes, and specialty fixtures, thereby expanding its utility even further. 
     The raising and lowering mechanism of the present invention is incorporated into each arm and brace assembly using a vertical guide assembly to limit arm movement between a position of lowest elevation and a position of highest elevation. Pivoting parallel bars form the bracing that connects the arm and brace assembly to a parallel guide assembly and then to the base of the vertical guide assembly for additional support. Movement of the pivoting parallel bars raises or lowers the arm and brace assembly between its positions of highest and lowest elevation. For lighter weight applications, spring or elastic tension is used to assist in a manual operation of the arm and brace assembly. For heavier applications, a mechanical lift uses a screw drive to provide a secure means of raising and lowering without risk of sudden or unexpected dropping of the arm and brace assembly. Manual or power assisted drives can be used. 
     Use of the invention allows one person to store, display, and handle large rugs and similarly awkward merchandise or materials, thereby saving labor. Thus, merchants can reduce the labor needed to hang rugs, in addition to the risk of worker injury from climbing and working on ladders. The present invention also allows rugs or other materials to be easily and promptly lowered for horizontal viewing or access, and then expediently raised back up for display and/or storage. The unique parallel brace design of the present invention achieves the same compactness of design (measured by the separation between arms or pivot hole centers) presently available to fixed rug arm and brace systems, thereby offering the added benefits of raising and lowering its arm and brace assemblies without making a sacrifice as to the number of arms, hence rugs, the merchant is able to store and display in a given space. Furthermore, the arm and brace system of the present invention is based on the unit plan, with additional arm and brace assembly units being added as needed to create displays of desired capacities; utilizing mounting fixtures appropriate for the particular installation, be it the commonly used wall mounting fixture, post mounting fixture, or self-standing mounting fixture. The present invention, embodied in pairs, can be used to raise storage baskets, shelving, cabinet boxes, or specialty fixtures such as a bicycle rack for elevated storage and then quickly and easily lower them for access to the same. With this in mind the invention offers utility for general storage applications, in addition to its rug display and storage capability. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be best understood from reading the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG.  1 . Isometric drawing of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention configured for rug display. 
     FIG.  2 . Side view of the first preferred embodiment with tension springs, in lowered position. 
     FIG.  3 . Side view of the first preferred embodiment with tension springs, in elevated position. 
     FIG.  4 . Side view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention with mechanical lift, in lowered position. 
     FIG.  5 . Side view of the second preferred embodiment with mechanical lift, in elevated position. 
     FIG.  6 A. Enlarged isometric view of the channel arm configuration with associated components used in the first and second preferred embodiments of the present invention, and showing full arm and brace system assembly. 
     FIG.  6 B. Enlarged isometric detail view of the present invention shown in tubular arm configuration with associated components used in the first and second preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG.  7 . Isometric drawing of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention configured for bicycle storage. 
     FIG.  8 . Side view of the third preferred embodiment configured for bicycle storage, in lowered position. 
     FIG.  9 . Side view of the third preferred embodiment configured for bicycle storage, in elevated position. 
     FIG.  10 A. Side view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention configured for the display of: sleeping bags, drapery fabrics, beach towels, and other similar sheet goods. 
     FIG.  10 B. Enlarged isometric detail view of the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the mounting bracket stop assembly. 
     FIG.  11 . Perspective view of a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention configured for basket support, in lowered position. 
     FIG.  12 . Perspective view of the fifth preferred embodiment configured for basket support, in elevated position. 
     FIG.  13 . Side view of the fifth preferred embodiment configured for basket support, in lowered position. 
     FIG.  14 . Side view of the fifth preferred embodiment configured for basket support, in elevated position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now in greater particularity to the drawings, the four primary elements of the arm and brace system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, will be seen in different embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1-14. Those four primary elements common to all embodiments are: vertical guide assembly  6 , arm assembly  8 , parallel guide assembly  14 , and pivoting parallel bars  22 . Connected together, as detailed below, they work as a system to perform the function of raising and lowering the load bearing arm, such as arm assembly  8  in FIG.  1 . Support elements of the present invention, not necessarily part of every embodiment, include: lift handle  20 , tension springs  16 , mechanical actuator  30 , bicycle hooks  35 , storage basket  47 , etc. are described below to allow the arm assemblies  8  to be raised and lowered in an easy and controlled manner, and/or adapted to a particular function. Varying combinations of support elements may be contained in any one embodiment according to its intended application. The four primary elements common to all embodiments: vertical guide assembly  6 , arm assembly  8 , parallel guide assembly  14 , and pivoting parallel bars  22 , and their means of interconnection will be described in detail in FIGS. 6A and 6B, and thereafter only distinctive features of each embodiment will be discussed to avoid unnecessary repetition. 
     Referring now in detail to FIG. 1, a first preferred embodiment  2  of the present invention arm and brace system is illustrated and shows a hanger arm type of apparatus for rugs  26 . Individual arm assemblies  8  are mounted within a raised hinge bar fixture  44 , securely fastened to a wall or supporting framework  19 , and to a lower companion pivot bar fixture  46 , similarly fastened to horizontal support plate  17 , and/or wall or supporting framework  19 . The support plate  17  of wood, steel, and similar functional material serves as a mounting surface for a pivot bar  46  to allow for distribution of the combined weight of the resulting display of rugs  26  and their first and second embodiments  2  and  28  across the floor  18  surface, to compensate for any unevenness in the floor  18  surface, and to allow for proper plumbing and alignment of the hinge holes  3  and pivot holes  4  associated with the hinge bar  44  and pivot bar  46  members, respectively. The mounting of rug arm assemblies  8  in first preferred embodiment  2  is not limited in use to wall  19  mounting of hinge bar fixture  44  and floor  18  mounting of its companion pivot bar fixture  46 , and although not shown in detailed illustration, all current trade art as to mounting hinge bar  44  and pivot bar  46  support fixtures are appropriate to the present invention including: wall mounting, mounting to vertical floor to ceiling post systems, as well as to a hinge bar  44  and pivot bar  46  combination incorporated into a free standing fixture. It is contemplated for the hinge bar  44  fixture and its companion pivot bar  46  fixture to be fabricated from steel angle, and other suitable material including, but not limited to flat, channel, and tubular shapes of any cross-sectional shape, dimension, or material so long as they provide hinge holes  3  and pivot holes  4 , respectively aligned for vertical mounting of rug arm assemblies  8  by means of inserting hinge and pivot pins  33  welded, or otherwise attached, to the vertical support member  6  of the first preferred embodiment  2 , thus allowing vertical guide assembly  6  to pivot freely about its horizontal axis, while being restrained vertically by hinge and pivot pins  33  (seen in detail in FIG. 6A) inserted in their respective mounting holes  3  and  4 . Extending the hinge bar fixtures  44  and pivot bar fixtures  46  in a substantially parallel manner in space and vertical alignment of additional hinge holes  3  and pivot holes  4 , allows for the installation of multiple arm and brace assemblies (each consisting of the four primary elements common to all embodiments: vertical support assembly  6 , arm assembly  8 , parallel guide assembly  14 , and pivoting parallel bars  22 , and their means of interconnection) that create a page style display of any desired capacity. Such page style displays can be mounted to a wall or support fixture  19  of any desired configuration. FIG. 1 also shows first preferred embodiment  2  having support elements that include lift handle  20 , tension springs  16 , and over center stop  24 . 
     FIGS. 2-5 illustrate the operation of the arm and brace system of the present invention in its first and second preferred embodiments, respectively  2  and  28 , between raised and lowered positions of highest and-lowest elevation. FIGS. 2 and 4, respectively, show first preferred embodiment  2  and second preferred embodiment  28  in a lowered position, while FIGS. 3 and 5 show first preferred embodiment  2  and second preferred embodiment  28 , respectively, in elevated positions. FIGS. 2 and 3 show first preferred embodiment  2  with a spring-assisted manual lift using tension springs  16 , while FIGS. 4 and 5 show second preferred embodiment  28  with an electrical or mechanical actuator  30 . Although shown for use in handling and/or display of a rug  26 , it is also contemplated for first preferred embodiment  2  and second preferred embodiment  28  to be used or modified for the storage, handling, and/or display of other articles, such as but not limited to draperies, towels, comforters, linens, sleeping bags, bicycles, etc. 
     In FIGS. 6A and 6B examples of alternating arm and brace assembly configurations for use with first preferred embodiment  2  and second preferred embodiment  28  are shown in detail. Although fabrication from steel components is preferred, the present invention is not limited to the use of steel materials, and the components of the present invention may also be fabricated from wood, aluminum, plastic, and by a combination of materials of any sectional shape and linear dimension, and not limited to flat, angle, channel, and tubular shapes of any cross-section or material so long as it provides for the structural and connective functions required for differing applications. FIG. 6A shows vertical support assembly  6  of, but not limited to, welded steel, or otherwise fastened materials, comprising: a vertical guide  31  of rolled steel tubing, round steel hinge and pivot pins  33 , flat steel pin mounting plate  51 , flat steel brace mounting bracket  38 , and over center stop fabricated from flat steel  24 . For ease of customer assembly, flat steel pin mounting plate  51  would be welded to the ends of the tubular vertical guide  31 . Vertical guide assembly  6  is inserted through the rear end of arm assembly  8 , between the offset rollers  10 . Rollers  10  are offset vertically, with the front roller  10  (shown but not separately numbered) being a larger compression roller in a position located below that of its smaller companion tension roller  10  to prevent binding action when upward pressure is applied to the front of arm assembly  8 . In the alternative, although offset rollers  10  are preferred, it is also contemplated for offset rollers  10  to be replaced by a separate bumper arrangement or other means of accomplishing the same function. In FIG. 6A, arm assembly  8  extends horizontally in an outward direction away from vertical guide assembly  6  with sufficient length to hang a rug  26  or other display object (not shown) of desired size. FIG. 6A further shows a roller separator  32  with bracket being attached to the distal end of arm assembly  8 , which defines the minimum separation between adjacent arm assemblies  8  and allows them to swing laterally without binding and with minimum of effort. The channel arm members  42  in arm assemblies  8  are each preferably fabricated from steel channel, or similar material. Along the length of each channel arm member  42  used, two pivot holes  13  similar to the pivot holes  13  shown in FIG. 6B are located for the attachment of pivoting parallel bars  22 , fabricated from, but not limited to, steel tubing, that serve as brace supports for arm assembly  8 . As shown in FIG. 6A, at the proximal end of channel arm members  42  mounting holes  13  are located in appropriate positions along their channel length for mounting of offset rollers  10 , utilizing grooved pin or similar pin connectors  12 . The pivoting parallel bars  22  are each pinned at one end to the channel arm member  42 , and although not shown in FIG. 6B, pivoting parallel bars  22  are pinned at their opposite ends to the horizontal brace mounting brackets  38  of the parallel guide assembly  14  utilizing similar pin fasteners  12 . When set into its usable position and connected to pivoting parallel bars  22 , FIG. 6A shows channel arm member  42  then becoming the hanger body for the number of rug clamps (not shown) needed to effectively support the weight of a rug  26 , or other object needing display. FIG. 6B illustrates an alternative configuration for arm assembly  8  with a tubular arm member  34  preferably being fabricated from tubular steel, or similarly rectangular material, that is sized to accommodate commercially available alligator rug clips  40 . Roller separator  32 , pivoting parallel braces  22 , and offset rollers  10  are attached to tubular arm member  34 , via flat steel brace mounting bracket  38 , and offset roller brackets  36 , welded, or otherwise secured to the tubular arm member  34 . Attachment of roller separator  32 , pivoting parallel braces  22 , and offset rollers  10  to mounting bracket  38  and offset roller brackets  36  is typically accomplished with grooved pins, with “E” ring fastener (not shown), or other similarly secure pin fasteners  12 . Parallel guide assembly  14  in first preferred embodiment  2  and second preferred embodiment  28 , as shown in FIG.  1  and FIG. 6A, is preferably a triangular welded, and otherwise securely fastened, steel framework fabricated from square or rectangular tubing, and other similarly functional material, consisting of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal members, with flat steel, etc., brace mounting brackets  38  welded, and otherwise securely fastened, in locations so as to maintain the horizontal and vertical hole locations required to maintain the parallel relationship of pivoting parallel bars  22 . FIG. 6A also shows a lift handle  20  preferably consisting of an elongated tubular or solid bar. Even though shown again in the FIG. 1 as a straight square member in cross section, it is not contemplated for lift handle  20  to be limited to a straight bar. Round cross sections, as well as lift handles  20  having and curved and bent configurations will equally serve the same function. FIG. 10 illustrates a lift handle  20  with a bend at its distal end to form a gripping point. In addition, although not shown, lift handle  20  can serve as a fastening point for attachment of a sign or other informational message about the object being displayed in association therewith. Lift handle  20  is preferably attached to parallel guide assembly  14  via threaded or similar fasteners  15  through additional mounting holes, such as mounting holes  13  in FIG. 6A, provided in the upper front brace mounting bracket  38 . The use of lift handle  20  allows one person to manually move the arm and brace system of the present invention up or down, and maintain control thereof, while standing in front of the associated arm assembly  8 . 
     In FIG. 6A the arm and brace system of the present invention is completed by the lower pivoting parallel bars  22  also preferably fabricated from, but not limited to, steel tubing. FIG. 6A also shows lower pivoting parallel bars  22  being pinned at their front and rear ends by pin fasteners  12  to the brace mounting brackets  38  that are welded or otherwise attached to parallel guide assembly  14  and vertical guide assembly  6 . FIG. 6A further illustrates a tension spring  16  attached via spring attachment brackets  37  welded, riveted, or otherwise attached to lower pivoting parallel bars  22 . FIGS. 1-3 illustrate two tension springs  16  per arm assembly  8 . In the alternative, although not shown, first preferred embodiment  2  and second preferred embodiment  28  could also comprise elastic straps or cords to fulfill the same function as provided by tension springs  16 . The number and size of tension springs  16 , elastic straps, or cords are not considered limiting to the present invention, and may be modified to the particular specifications of the load to be carried. Tension springs  16  are so attached and arranged that tension increases as arm assembly  8  is moved into a lowered position and is reduced as arm assembly  8  is raised. The tension applied to arm assembly  8  adds an elevating force that assists in raising and lowering arm assembly  8 . Movement of arm assembly  8  upward and the interconnected pivoting parallel bars  22  and parallel guide assembly  14  rearward is limited by the over center stop  24  attached to vertical support assembly  6 . FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the attachment of a mechanical actuator  30  via mechanical actuator attachment brackets  39  that are welded or otherwise secured to vertical guide assembly  6  and also to either of the interior or exterior pivoting parallel bars  22 . Utilizing the screw drive principle, mechanical actuator  30  causes the associated arm assembly  8  to be raised or lowered by the extension or retraction of a threaded actuator ram (not shown). Location of mechanical actuator  30  is not limiting, in that its attachment bracket  39  can be located along vertical guide assembly  6  either below or above the parallel brace mounting bracket  38  at a location to allow the interior or exterior pivoting parallel bar  22  with mechanical actuator attachment bracket  39  to be moved by either compression or tension force respectively. In this manner larger or heavier loads can be raised and lowered with the aid of mechanical assistance. 
     FIGS. 7-9 illustrates a third preferred embodiment  7  of the arm and brace system of the present invention functioning as a bicycle storage rack. FIG. 7 shows the use of two vertical guide tubes  31  of steel tubing, or similar material, fixed wall mounting brackets  5  of steel tubing, or similar materials, over center stop  24  fabricated from flat steel, or similar materials, welded, or otherwise securely attached between the lower two fixed wall mounting brackets  5  and so located as to stop the rearward travel of the pivoting parallel bars  22  at a point “over center” along the brace system axis, so that the force of gravity from arm assembly  8 , supplemented by tension action from the tension springs  16 , will retain arm assembly  8  in its position of highest elevation. The twin tubular body of tubular arm member  34  has axel rods  9  with pin fasteners  12  welded, or otherwise attached, to provide mounting points for offset rollers  10 . Hollow tubular steel spacers  11  are located on either side of pivoting parallel bars  22  through which an elongated pin fastener  12  passes. A tubular arm spacer  21  is welded, bolted, or similarly mounted between the tubular arm members  34  to maintain horizontal spacing. Bicycle hooks  35  are welded, bolted, or similarly mounted to the twin tubular arm members  34 , to complete the arm assembly  8  of third preferred embodiment  7 . The pivoting parallel bars  22 , tension spring  16 , spring attachment bracket  37 , and pin fasteners  12  all function the same and have similar construction to the rug arm and brace system with spring-assisted lift in first preferred embodiment  2 , shown in FIG.  1 . Due to the smaller scale of the bicycle storage rack of third preferred embodiment  7 , the parallel guide assembly  14  is fabricated from two brace mounting bracket plates  38  containing all brace and lift handle mounting holes  13 . FIG. 8 shows the bicycle storage rack of third preferred embodiment  7  with a bicycle  48  in a lowered position. FIG. 9 shows the bicycle storage rack of third preferred embodiment  7  with a bicycle  48  in an elevated storage position. 
     FIG.  10 A and FIG. 10B illustrate a fourth preferred embodiment  43  of the arm and brace system of the present invention functioning as a hanger for a sleeping bag, drapery fabric sample, beach towel, and other sheet-like material  50 . FIG. 10B shows in detail the lower portion of the vertical guide assembly  6  as detailed below. Unique to the fourth preferred embodiment  43  is its smaller scale and lighter materials, allowing the brace mounting plate  38  and over center stop  24 , as shown in FIG. 6A, to be combined into one mounting bracket stop assembly  29 , as shown in FIG.  10 B. The mounting bracket stop assembly  29  utilizes a round flexible spacer wheel as a stop bumper  49 , held in place by a pin connector  12 , and located between the brackets  52  of the mounting bracket stop assembly  29 . Also, due to its smaller size the parallel guide assembly  14  is fabricated from two brace mounting bracket plates  38  containing all brace and lift handle mounting holes  13 . The lift handle  20  in this embodiment is tubular and features a bent handle grip on its distal end that extends beyond the sleeping bag  50  hung from arm assembly  8  to allow arm assembly  8  to be swung laterally by moving the bent handle grip. In all other aspects fourth preferred embodiment  43  is the same as the first and second preferred embodiments  2  and  8  described in FIGS. 6A and 6B which show channel and tubular styles of rug arm assemblies  8  raised and lowered via spring or elastic tension assisted mechanical lift. 
     FIGS. 11-14 illustrate a fifth preferred embodiment  45  of the arm and brace system of the present invention functioning as a storage basket. Unique to fifth preferred embodiment  45  is the use of an arm assembly  8  braced by paired sets of pivoting parallel bars  22 , parallel guide assemblies  14 , and vertical guide assemblies  6 , to support an arm assembly  8  functional object therebetween, such as the storage basket  47  shown or other similar object such as a shelf, panel, fixture, cabinet, box, etc. FIGS. 11 and 12 show a perspective view of the operation of fifth preferred embodiment  45 . FIGS. 13 and 14 show in detail the components of fifth preferred embodiment  45  in their lowered and raised positions. The tubular components of fifth preferred embodiment  45  are preferably fabricated from, but not limited in cross sectional shape to, round tubular aluminum, steel, or similar materials with flattened ends. The storage basket  47  serves the same function as the tubular arm assembly  8  shown in FIG.  6 B. In fifth preferred embodiment  45  a single U-shaped tube forms the frame and bracket member  41  with its ends flattened to form the offset roller bracket (not separately numbered) all in one piece. A tubular arm spacer  21  is welded or riveted to the rear frame of storage basket  47 , as well as arm assembly  8 . A storage basket  47  of welded wire or web mesh or other material is attached to the arm assembly  8 , which together with the offset rollers  10  mounted on axel rods  9  with pin or clip fasteners  12 , complete the assembly of fifth preferred embodiment  45 . The pivoting parallel bars  22  in fifth preferred embodiment  45  are also fabricated from round tubing and have flattened ends with pivot holes  13  for mounting. The lift handle  20  in fifth preferred embodiment  45  is preferably formed with a single U-shaped tube with offset bend and mounting holes  13  along its length and in its flattened ends to form the top members of the companion parallel guide assemblies  14  with brace brackets  38  in one piece. The diagonal and vertical members of parallel guide assemblies  14  in fifth preferred embodiment  45  are preferably formed from round tube with flattened ends and 13 pivot holes. The lift handle tube  20 , parallel guide members  14 , and pivoting parallel bars  22  in fifth preferred embodiment  45  are all preferably joined by pin connectors  12  in an overlapping manner. Also joined through the lower parallel guide assembly  14  and the pivot holes  13  in the brace mounting bracket  38  of upper vertical guide assembly  6  is the tension spring  16  or elastic strap/cord via a tie hook or mounting plate (not shown) attached to the ends of the  16  tension spring or elastic strap/cord. In all other aspects fifth preferred embodiment  45  is the same as that described in FIG. 6A and 6B for the channel and tubular styles of rug arm assembly  8  with spring or elastic tension assisted mechanical lift.