Patent Publication Number: US-11645085-B2

Title: Apparatus to enable a handicapped person to install and service a device adjacent a ceiling

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to the field of enabling a handicapped person, especially wheelchair bound persons, to install and service a device which is located adjacent a ceiling of a structure. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The following eight patents and published patent applications are the closest prior art related to the field of the invention which are known to the inventor.
     1. U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,038 issued to Richard A. VanCleve on Sep. 22, 1992 for “Mounting Device for Smoke Alarm”.   2. U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,954 issued to Frank Harrison on Jan. 25, 1994 for “Device for Replacing Battery in Smoke Alarm”.   3. U.S. Pat. No. 5,380,967 issued to Carson D. Steen et al, on Jan. 10, 1995 for “Extension Actuator for Electrical Wall Switch”.   4. U.S. Pat. No. 5,594,422 issued to Richard W. Huey et al, on Jan. 14, 1997 for “Universally Accessible Smoke Detector”.   5. U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,330 issued to Michael Sanguedolce on Mar. 14, 2000 for “Light Switch Extender”.   6. U.S. Pat. No. 7,233,254 issued to Byron H. Howell on Jun. 19, 2007 for “Lowerable Smoke Detector”.   7. United States Published Patent Application No. 2008/0117064 to Jeong-Hun Shin on May 22, 2008 for “Fire Detector Having a Lifting Function”.   8. U.S. Pat. No. 8,371,547 issued to Kathleen N. Wilkowske on Feb. 12, 2013 for “Detector Extender Support Systems”.   

     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an apparatus for enable people who are handicapped, especially those who are wheelchair bound, to be able to install and replace objects that are affixed near the ceiling such as a smoke detector, a wireless doorbell, etc. 
     Tasks which are considered a simple operation for people who are fortunate enough to have no physical disability become difficult and virtually impossible for a handicapped person. Smoke detectors are most commonly mounted on a ceiling or on a vertical wall adjacent a ceiling. When the battery is no longer operable, the smoke detector emits a beeping signal. For a person who can climb a ladder, it is a simple task to place the ladder on the ground adjacent the location of the smoke detector, climb the ladder, remove the smoke detector cover, replace the battery which is usually a nine-volt battery, replace the cover, and climb down the ladder. The simple task is impossible to perform for a wheelchair bound handicapped person. 
     It is a primary object of the present invention to create an apparatus which enables a wheelchair bound person to install and service a smoke detector located on a ceiling or locate on a vertical wall adjacent a ceiling. 
     In addition, other objects such as a wireless doorbell, burglar alarm with sensors, and numerous other electronic devices require mounting on or adjacent a ceiling of a structure, especially for home use. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which enables a person to install, and if necessary, service or remove and repair, a device located on or adjacent a ceiling while the person is seated in a chair such as a wheelchair. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which is mounted on a vertical wall adjacent a light switch used as a frame of reference for position height to locate the lower level of the apparatus. Using a wall light switch as a frame of reference, the location to the lower level of the apparatus enables a seated adult to grasp and work with elements of the apparatus incorporated into the lower level or upper level adjacent the lower level. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to incorporate into the apparatus an upper level to which the device, such as a smoke detector, is affixed. In addition, a vertical height adjusting member enables the seated person to affix, repair and service the device when the apparatus upper level is adjacent the apparatus lower level and then move the upper level through the height adjustment member to a location on or adjacent the structure and affixing the height adjustment member after the apparatus upper level retaining the device is at the desired location. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which is mounted on a floor adjacent a vertical wall where the device is to be affixed. The floor mounted apparatus incudes a lower lever apparatus having a vertical height adjustment to position the lower apparatus within reach of a person seated in a chair such as a wheelchair. While the base height location is the height of a wall light switch, this height is suitable for an adult having a standing height of five feet ten inches to six feet or taller. For a shorter person, such as a smaller woman, the lower apparatus can be lowered to any level above the floor so that it can be reached and grasped by the shorter person. 
     It is additionally an object of the present invention to incorporate into the floor mounted apparatus an upper level to which the device, such as a smoke detector, is affixed. In addition, a vertical height adjusting member enables the seated person to affix, repair and service the device when the apparatus upper level is adjacent the apparatus lower level and then move the upper level through the height adjustment member to the desired level of the device. Then, after the apparatus upper level retaining the device is at the desired location, the height adjustment member is fixed. 
     The vertical height adjustment member is a pole selected from the group consisting of an elongated pole having at least a flat longitudinal surface for the portion facing the vertical wall, an elongated pole having two oppositely disposed flat longitudinal surfaces with one longitudinal flat surface portion facing the vertical wall, and a cylindrical elongated pole. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which is mounted on a vertical wall adjacent a light switch used as a frame of reference for position height to locate the lower level of the apparatus with the apparatus hard wired into electricity within the vertical wall. Using a wall light switch as a frame of reference, the location to the lower level of the apparatus enables a seated adult to grasp and work with elements of the apparatus incorporated into the lower level. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to incorporate into the apparatus an upper level to which the device, such as a smoke detector, is affixed. In addition, a vertical height adjusting member enables the seated person to affix, repair and service the device when the apparatus upper level is adjacent the apparatus lower level. The upper level is then moved through the height adjustment member to a location on or adjacent the structure ceiling. The height adjustment member is affixed after the apparatus upper level retaining the device is at the desired location. The hard wiring is long enough to accompany the apparatus upper level to the final fixed location. 
     Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitations, there is illustrated: 
         FIG.  1    is a front elevational view of a structure vertical wall with a wall light switch, a person seated in a wheelchair with hands elevated, and a front view of the present invention apparatus lower level, the upper level and the vertical height adjustment member. 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded view with a front plan view of the present invention upper section and the upper section vertical height adjustment retaining member and a front perspective view of the present invention lower section and the lower section vertical height adjustment retaining member. 
         FIG.  3 A  is an enlarged rear perspective view of the upper section. 
         FIG.  3 B  is an enlarged front perspective view of the upper section. 
         FIG.  4 A  is an enlarged front left side perspective view of the lower level plate. 
         FIG.  4 B  is an enlarged front right side perspective view of the lower level plate. 
         FIG.  4 C  is an exploded view illustrating the lower plate and how it retains the vertical height adjustment retaining member and the upper plate retained by its vertical height adjustment retaining member, and a smoke detector illustrated exploded away from, the upper plate. 
         FIG.  5    is a front elevational view illustrating the second plate with the device moved to adjacent the ceiling, a person seated in a wheelchair after raising the second plate. 
         FIG.  6    is a front elevational view illustrating the second plate with the device moved to adjacent the ceiling, with the device electrically hardwired a person seated in a wheelchair after raising the second plate. 
         FIG.  7    is a front elevational view of all structure vertical wall, a person seated in a wheelchair, and a front view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention apparatus lower level movably affixed on a pair of poles affixed to a floor plate, the upper level and the vertical height adjustment member. 
         FIG.  8 A  is an exploded view with a front plan view of the lower plate of alternative embodiment of the present invention with a top plan view of the front height adjustment mechanism. 
         FIG.  8 B  is an exploded view with a front plan view of the lower plate of alternative embodiment of the present invention with a top plan view of the left pole height adjustment mechanism. 
         FIG.  8 C  is an exploded view with a front plan view of the lower plate of alternative embodiment of the present invention with a top plan view of the right pole height adjustment mechanism. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , there is illustrated a front elevational view of structure vertical wall  500  with a wall light switch  510  which is typically at a conventional height “H-LTS” of anywhere from forty-eight inches to fifty-two inches from the floor  520 . Also illustrated is a side perspective view of a person  700  seated in a wheelchair  800 . The illustration of the person  700  shows the rear portion of the torso  710 , the person&#39;s neck  720 , the person&#39;s head  730  and the person&#39;s right arm  740  and right hand  742  lowered and the person&#39;s left arm  750  and left hand  752  raised. The first embodiment of the present invention  10  includes a lower section  20  affixed to the vertical wall  500  at a vertical height “H-LWS” above the floor  520 . In a preferred location, the lower section  20  is aligned with the light switch  510  and spaced apart from the light switch  510  so that it is within reach of the person&#39;s hands  742  and  752 . It will be appreciated that it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention for the lower section  20  to be located at any portion of the vertical wall  500  as long as it can be reached by the seated person&#39;s hands  742  and  752  and allows for length of a vertical height adjusting member  80  which will be discussed. 
     Further referring to  FIG.  1   , there is illustrated the apparatus upper level  50  affixed to a top end  82  of a vertical height adjusting member  80  which is an elongated column also including a bottom end  81 . When lowered, the apparatus upper level  50  must be within reach of the seated person&#39;s hands  742  and  752 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , there is illustrated an exploded view with a front elevational view of the present invention upper level  50  upper front plate  52  permanently affixed to a top  82  of vertical height adjustment member  80 . As illustrated in the plan view behind upper front plate  52 , the rear surface  54  is integrally formed with upper vertical height adjustment member retaining column  50 -RC having a first transverse wall  52 -RC, a parallel second transverse wall  54 -RC and the arcuate front ends  86 -TC 1  and  86 RC 2  with a central gap  56 G-RC surrounding a generally oval opening  58 . The first transverse wall  52 -RC includes a first retaining pin  52 -RP inserted into one rounded end of vertical height adjustment member  80 . The second transverse wall  54 -RC includes a second retaining pin  54 -RP inserted into an opposite rounded end of vertical height adjustment member  80  The upper front plate  52  is located in front of present invention lower section  20  to enable the seated person  700  to work on the device affixed to upper front plate  52 . 
     Further referring to the lower portion of  FIG.  2   , there is illustrated a front plan view of the apparatus lower level plate  22  having four attachment openings  20 A,  20 B,  20 C and  20 D. Also illustrated in a separate view is a top view of one embodiment of the vertical height adjustment member retaining column  30  having a first transverse wall  32 , a parallel second transverse wall  34  and the arcuate front ends  36 - 1  and  36 - 2 , with a central gap  36 G surrounding a generally oval opening  38 . The first transverse wall  32  includes a threaded opening  28  (alternatively, an unthreaded opening) with a first interior thread mating wall  24  through which a threaded retaining bolt  40  extends and ends a second interior threaded mating wall  26 . The threaded retaining bolt  40  includes a threaded shaft  42  and a head  44 . The threaded shaft  42  is threaded through threaded openings  24  and  26  and is stopped outside first transverse wall  32  by head  44 . 
     The detailed components are best illustrated in the enlarged views.  FIG.  3 A  is an enlarged rear perspective view of the upper section  50  and  FIG.  3 B  is an enlarged front perspective view of the upper section  50 . Referring to  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B , the upper level  50  upper front plate  52  is permanently affixed to a top  82  of vertical height adjustment member  80 . As illustrated in the rear perspective view of  FIG.  3 A  and front perspective view of  FIG.  3 B , the rear surface  54  is integrally formed with upper vertical height adjustment member retaining column  50 -RC having a first transverse wall  52 -RC, a parallel second transverse wall  54 -RC and the arcuate front ends  56 -RC 1  and  56 -RC 2 , with a central gap  56 G-RC surrounding a generally oval opening  58 -RC. The vertical height adjustment member  80  has an oval cross section with oppositely disposed longitudinal flat surfaces  86  and  88  with rounded ends  85  and  87 . The first transverse wall  52 -RC includes a first retaining pin  52 -RP inserted into one rounded end  85  of vertical height adjustment member  80 . The second transverse wall  54 -RC includes a second retaining pin  54 -RP inserted into an opposite rounded end  87  of vertical height adjustment member  80 . The threaded retaining bolt  40  is tightened to cause the vertical height adjustment member  80  to be fixed in a given position. The upper front plate  52  is located in front of present invention lower section  20  to enable the seated person  700  to work on the device affixed to upper front plate  52 . 
     While described as oval, it will be appreciated that it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention for the vertical height adjustment member  80  to be any shape including cylindrical with a round cross-section and the opening in the retaining column  50 -RC to have a marching shape such as round. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4 A , there is illustrated a left side perspective view of the lower level plate  22  of the lower level  20 . Referring to  FIG.  4 B , there is illustrated a right side perspective view of the lower level plate  22  of the lower level  20 . Referring to  FIGS.  2 ,  4 A and  4 B , there is illustrated the lower level plate  22  having four attachment openings  20 A,  20 B,  20 C and  20 D. Also illustrated is the vertical height adjustment member retaining column  30  having a first transverse wall  32 , a parallel second transverse wall  34  and the arcuate front ends  36 - 1  and  36 - 2  with a central gap  36 G surrounding a generally oval opening  38 . The first transverse wall  32  includes a threaded opening  28  (alternatively the opening is an unthreaded hole) with a first interior threaded mating wall  24  through which a threaded retaining bolt  40  extends and ends a second interior threaded mating wall  26 . The threaded retaining bolt  40  includes a threaded shaft  42  and a head  44 . The threaded shaft  42  is threaded through threaded mating walls  24  and  26  and is stopped outside first transverse wall  32  by head  44 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  4 C , there is illustrated an exploded view illustrating the lower plate  22  and how it retains the vertical height adjustment retaining member  80  and the upper plate  52  retained by its vertical height adjustment retaining member  80 , and a smoke detector  2000  exploded away from, the upper plate  52 . The parts have already been described. Mating screws  50 AM,  50 BM,  50 CM and  50 DM are used to affix smoke detector  2000  to upper plate  52  through respectively aligned openings  50 A,  50 B,  50 C and  50 D. A key feature is that the upper plate  52  is retained in front of the lower plate  22  which is affixed to vertical wall  500  by mating screws  20 AM,  20 BM,  20 CM and  20 DM respectively aligned with openings  20 A,  20 B,  20 C and  20 D. Referring to  FIG.  4 C , there is illustrated present invention apparatus upper level retaining plate  52  affixed to the top  82  of the vertical height adjustment member  80  with four attaching openings  50 A,  50 B,  50 C and  50 D with a smoke detector illustrated in broken lines  2000  attached to the upper retaining plate, illustrating the lower level retaining plate  20  with the components previously identified. 
     The lower plate  20  is affixed to the vertical wall  500  at the height as described in  FIG.  1   . The second plate  52  is lowered so that it is slightly above and in front of first plate  22 . The device  2000 , such as the smoke detector, is affixed to the second plate  52 . The wheelchair bound person  700  installs the smoke detector  2000 , replaces a battery, while the second plate is in the lowered position. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , after the person  700  has installed the device or replaced a battery in the smoke detector  2000  while the second plate  52  is lowered adjacent the first plate, as illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the person pushes upwardly on the vertical height adjustment member  80  to raise the second plate  52  to the desired height adjacent the ceiling  530  and then causes the bolt  40  to affix the vertical height adjustment member  80  as previously described. The person in the wheelchair has already been described in  FIG.  1    and is illustrated again in  FIG.  5    with the raised left hand  52  against the bottom of height adjustment member  80 . 
     If the smoke detector is hard wire into an electrical outlet  1100 , the apparatus is the same but the electrical wire  1000  needs to be long enough to move to the location near the ceiling, as illustrated in  FIG.  6   . 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , there is illustrated present invention apparatus upper level retaining plate  52  affixed to the top  82  of the vertical height adjustment member  80  with four attaching openings  50 A,  50 B,  50 C and  50 D with a smoke detector illustrated in broken lines  2000 B attached to the upper level retaining plate  52 , illustrating the lower level retaining plate  22  with the components previously identified. In  FIG.  6   , the device is electrically hard wired with an electrical cable  1000  hard wired into an electrical outlet  1100 . The operation is the same as previous described but the electrical cable  1000  needs to be long enough to reach the ceiling level where the device  2000 B is affixed to second plate  52  is raised. 
     After the device, such as smoke detector  2000  is installed onto apparatus upper retaining plate  52  or serviced such as changing a battery, the person pushes upwardly on the oval shaped vertical height adjustment member  80  until the apparatus upper level retaining plate  52  is adjacent ceiling  530  on an adjacent vertical wall  500  and the threaded retaining  40  is tightened as previously described to affix the apparatus upper vertical plate  52  with smoke detector to adjacent the ceiling  530  as illustrated in  FIGS.  5  and  6   . The person in the wheelchair has already been described in FIG.  1  and is illustrated again in  FIG.  6    with the raised left hand  52  against the bottom of height adjustment member  80 . 
     Therefore, through the present invention, a handicapped person seated in a wheelchair can install and service a device positioned at a vertical height adjacent a ceiling  530  of the structure. 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , there is an alternative variation of the present invention  310  wherein there is a floor mounted plate assembly. There is a plate  300  attached to the floor  1520  and then a pair of poles  370  and  390  affixed to the plate  300 . The poles support present application lower section  320  which includes a lower plate  322  affixed at a height which is reachable by an adult seated in a wheelchair. The distance from the lower plate  322  to the ground floor  1520  is initially between forty-eighty and fifty-two inches. The lower plate  322  includes a front retaining member to retain the vertical height adjustment member  380 . The person seated in a wheel chair has already been described in  FIG.  1    and is illustrated with the person&#39;s left hand  752  at the bottom of height adjustment member  380  after the top section which will retain an object such as a smoke detector has been raised to a location adjacent the ceiling  530 A. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8 A , there is illustrated an exploded view with a front elevational view of the present invention lower level  320  lower front plate  322 . As illustrated in the plan view behind the lower front plate  322 , the front surface  324  is integrally formed with lower vertical height adjustment member retaining column  320 -RC having a first transverse wall  332 -RC, a parallel second transverse wall  334 -RC and the arcuate front ends  336 -RC 1  and  336 -RC 2  with a central gap  336 G-RC surrounding a generally oval opening  338 -RC. The first transverse wall  332 -RC includes a threaded opening  328 -RC with a first interior threaded mating walls  324 -RC through which a threaded retaining bolt  340 -RC extends and ends a second interior threaded mating wall  326 -RC. The threaded retaining bolt  340 -RC incudes a threaded shaft  342 -RC and a head  344 -RC. The threaded shaft  342 -RC is threaded through threaded mating walls  324 -RC and  326 -RC and is stopped outside first transverse wall  332 -RC by head  344 -RC. The vertical height adjustment member  380  has an oval cross section  384  with oppositely disposed longitudinal flat surfaces  386  and  388  with rounded ends  385  and  387 . The threaded retaining bolt  340 -RC is tightened to cause the vertical height adjustment member  380  to be fixed in a given position. 
     The upper plate section  350  is identical to the first embodiment  50  and is retained at the top  382  of vertical height adjustment member  380  and retains the operational device  2000  in the same way previously described. When the operation on device  2000  is completed, the vertical height adjustment member  380  is raised to a location adjacent vertical wall  500 -A and adjacent ceiling  530 A. The threaded retaining bolt  340 -RC is tightened as previously described to affix the upper plate  352  as previously described. 
     The one addition is that the height of lower plate  322  is adjustable. Each pole  370  and  390  is oval in cross section and is movably retained by lower plate adjustment members  470  and  490 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  8 B , lower plate adjustment member includes a first transverse wall  472 -RC, a parallel second transverse wall  474 -RC and the arcuate front ends  476 -RC 1  and  476 -RC 2  with a central gap  476 G-RC surrounding a generally oval opening  479 -RC. The first transverse wall  472 -RC includes a threaded opening  478 -RC with a first interior threaded mating wall  424 -RC through which a threaded retaining bolt  440 -RC extends and ends a second interior threaded mating wall  426 -RC. The threaded retaining bolt  440 -RC includes a threaded shaft  442 -RC and a head  444 -RC. The threaded shaft  442 -RC is threaded through threaded mating walls  424 -RC and  426 -RC and is stopped outside first transverse wall  432 -RC by head  444 -RC. The lower plate  322  is lowered on pole  370  to a desired height above plate  300  and threaded bolt  344 -RC is tightened. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8 C , similarly, lower plate adjustment member for second pole  390  includes transverse wall  482 -RC, a parallel second transverse wall  484 -RC and the arcuate front ends  486 -RC 1  and  486 -RC 2  with a central gap  486 G-RC surrounding a generally oval opening  489 -RC. The first transverse wall  482 -RC includes a threaded opening  488 -RC with a first interior threaded mating wall  423 -RC through which a threaded retaining bolt  475 -RC extends and ends a second interior threaded mating wall  425 -RC. The threaded retaining bolt  475 -RC includes a threaded shaft  471 -RC and a head  477 -RC. The threaded shaft  471 -RC is threaded through threaded mating walls  423 -RC and  425 -RC and is stopped outside first transverse wall  482 -RC by head  477 -RC. The lower plate  322  is lowered on pole  390  to a desired height above plate  300  and threaded retaining bolt  475 -RC is tightened. 
     If the height of vertical height adjustment member  380  is too tall to enable lowering of first plate  322  and therefore second plate  352 , it is also within the spirit and scope of the present invention for the vertical height adjustment member  380  to be hinged and folded upon itself to be shortened to accommodate lowering first and second plates. 
     Therefore, the present invention  310  not only enables a wheelchair bound person to work on a device  2000  which is positioned at an elevated height; but also adjusts the height of where the device is lowered for smaller wheelchair bound people. 
     Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which the apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated.