Abstract:
The retractable panel is a length of flexible sheet material rolled onto a roller, with the roller driven by at least one spirator retractor. A spirator may be installed at each end of the roller, in the case of larger, longer, and/or heavier panels. Two such assemblies may be installed in a single housing, in mirror image to one another to operate in opposite directions from a single central location. Decorative and/or other illumination may be included on the roller housing, and the extension of the panels may be motor driven. The lighting and/or motor operation may be directly or remotely controlled. The retractable panel may be adapted to a number of different uses and environments, e.g., as retractable protective wall pads for installation in elevators or other close confines, as vehicle covers, as permanently installed or portable advertising or informational banners, etc.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to flexible sheets, panels, and the like, and particularly to a retractable panel extending from rollers and being selectively extendible and retractable thereon. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    The general concept of the placement and storage of thin, flexible sheets of material on rollers for deployment and retraction is known in such environments as roller shades for windows and the like, where relatively lightweight material is used for the panel. Such roller shades do not require particularly strong retraction springs or mechanisms, such devices generally using a relatively thin helically coiled wire spring disposed concentrically within the interior of the roller. 
         [0005]    However, the use of rollers and retraction springs for larger and heavier sheets of material has generally been limited due to the lack of suitable springs and the difficulty in housing the bulk of the required larger spring with the roller of the assembly while still providing a relatively small diameter core. While larger and heavier springs are known that are adaptable for use in retracting relatively large and heavy sheets of material, such heavy-duty springs have generally not been adapted for such use. 
         [0006]    One field in which relatively large and heavy coiled springs are used is the elevator industry, where spirators are generally used in the door operating system. “Spirator” is a generic term for a device comprising an elongate, flat sheet of spring steel coiled in a spiral within a housing. The inner end of the spring is anchored to a fixed central post, which extends from the hub of the device to serve as the anchor for the sprirator. The outer end of the coiled spring has a cable extending therefrom, with the spring urging the cable to retract and wind onto the rotating spirator reel. Spirators are manufactured and supplied by several different companies, e.g., the Westinghouse Corporation of the U.S., the Hee Corporation of South Korea, etc. 
         [0007]    However, while numerous devices including rolled, retractable sheets of flexible material have been developed in the past, spirators have never been used in a roller retraction mechanism for a flexible rolled sheet or panel, to the knowledge of the present inventor. An exemplary conventional retractable roller mechanism is shown in Japanese Patent No. 1-101,224, published on Apr. 19, 1989. This device comprises (according to the drawings and English abstract) a vehicle cover comprising two rolled tarps or the like, which extend from a single central housing secured to the top of the vehicle. The retraction springs appear to be helically coiled springs that are concentrically disposed within the roller core. 
         [0008]    None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, a retractable panel solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The retractable panel is made from a flexible sheet material, which is rolled upon an elongate central roller, similar to a roller shade for a window. However, the retractable panel is formed of a larger sheet of heavier material, and requires a retraction spring having considerably more torque than a conventional roller shade. A helically coiled wire spring of sufficient strength would not conveniently fit within the core of a relatively small diameter tubular core for the rolled sheet or panel. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, the retractable panel makes use of a spirator having a spirally coiled flat spring steel spring that urges the roller and flexible panel thereon to a retracted configuration. Two such rollers and spirator assemblies may be installed in a central housing that extend and retract independently and oppositely to one another. A single spirator may be used at one end of the roller to drive each roller in many such devices, depending upon the size of the spirator used, the length and weight of the sheet material of which the panel is formed, etc. This has the advantage of allowing each roller and spirator assembly to be constructed identically, with only the mounting points being interchanged between the two rollers to allow the two rollers to extend and retract oppositely to one another. 
         [0011]    In some larger installations, it may be necessary to use two spirators on each roller, where longer lengths of heavier material are used. The use of spirators as the retraction devices for rolled sheets of material may be extended to a number of different uses and environments, e.g., as retractable furniture pads and the like in elevators and similar close confines; as vehicle covers, either using a single or dual roller installation; as an advertising or informational banner, either in a permanent or portable installation; etc. Various forms of illumination and/or decorative lighting may be included, and/or the roller extension may be motorized, if desired. The lighting and/or motor operation may be directly controlled or remotely controlled. 
         [0012]    These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of a first embodiment of a retractable panel according to the present invention, showing its operation and use as a protective pad. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an environmental perspective view of a second embodiment of a retractable panel of the present invention, showing its operation and use as a vehicle cover. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is an environmental perspective view of a third embodiment of a retractable panel of the present invention, showing its installation and operation as a load cover for a trash truck or the like. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is an environmental perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a retractable panel of the present invention, showing its operation and use as an advertising banner. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a housing containing two retractable panels according to the present invention and their retraction reels, showing their interrelationship. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a single retractable panel assembly according to the present invention having two opposed retraction reels. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of a retractable panel and reel assembly of the present invention, including lighting and motor drive systems therefor. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    The present invention comprises various embodiments of a retractable panel formed of a flexible sheet of material (plastic, fabric, etc.) having one end attached to a roller for retractably rolling the panel sheet onto the roller for storage. The device may be in the form of one or more retractable protective pads or wall coverings, a vehicle or vehicle load cover, an informative sign or display, etc., and may incorporate more than one roller and retraction mechanism, depending upon the area to be covered and the weight of the retractable panel or sheet. All embodiments utilize one or more spirator retractors, and may include display, emergency, and/or other lighting means, as desired. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates a first embodiment of the present invention comprising a retractable protective cover unit  110  for a wall or similar surface, e.g., the interior walls W of an elevator E. The protective cover unit  110  may be provided as a single unit, but preferably a sufficient quantity of the devices  110  are installed to substantially protect all surfaces that may be subject to damage. Separate freight elevators are often not provided in many buildings, with the movement of furniture F (e.g., large, heavy desks, laundry appliances, etc.) being accomplished by means of the passenger elevator(s) E in the building. Conventionally, separate protective pads (if available) are retrieved from a storage location and placed over the walls of the elevator. 
         [0023]    The protective cover units  110  are permanently installed within the elevator E, with the protective pads  112  retracting into their respective housings  114  to remain out of sight when not in use. When a large, heavy object, e.g., the desk furniture F of  FIG. 1 , is to be transported within an elevator E, the worker need only reach up to extend the protective pads  112  from their respective housings  114  and secure them in their extended positions by means of grommets  116  along the lower or distal edges of the pads  112  and cooperating hooks  118  installed along the bases of the walls W of the elevator E. Each of the units  110  includes one or more retracting mechanisms, as described further below and illustrated in  FIGS. 4 through 7 . 
         [0024]    Each of the retractable protective cover units  110  may also include supplemental lighting  120 , if so desired. The lighting  120  may comprise supplemental lighting drawing electrical power from the same electrical system as used to power the lighting within the building structure, or may comprise emergency lighting having a self-contained electrical storage battery for power, as is known in the art of emergency lighting. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  provides an environmental perspective view of a second embodiment of a retractable panel, which is configured as a vehicle cover unit  210 . The vehicle cover  210  includes a pair of rollers (shown in detail in  FIG. 4 , and described in detail further below) with a protective tarp, respectively  212   a  and  212   b , extending therefrom. The rollers, and their retracted tarps  212   a  and  212   b , are contained within a housing  214 , which is removably mounted atop the vehicle V by conventional means, e.g., magnets, suction cups, etc. Each tarp has a second end, respectively  216   a  and  216   b , disposed distally from the housing  214  when the tarps are extended. Each tarp end  216   a ,  216   b  has a rigid spreader bar  218  extending thereacross, with the first tarp spreader bar  218  and one end  222   b  of the second tarp spreader bar  218  being shown in  FIG. 2 . Each spreader bar  218  includes a first end  222   a  and an opposite second end  222   b , with the corresponding ends of the vehicle bumpers having inwardly oriented hooks  224  depending therebelow. 
         [0026]    The relatively lightweight covers or tarps  212   a ,  212   b  are easily extended manually against the spring tension of the spirator retractors installed upon the rollers within the housing  214 , with the ends  222   a ,  222   b  of the spreader bars  218  being placed within the hooks  224  to secure the covers  212   a ,  212   b  in their extended positions over the vehicle V. The covers are easily retracted when desired by slightly extending them to pull the spreader bars  218  just past the hooks  224  and allowing the spring tension of the spirators within the housing  214  to retract the covers. The housing  214  may incorporate supplemental or emergency lighting  220  thereon, e.g., emergency hazard flashers, or flashing lights triggered by a remote control device to assist the operator in finding the vehicle in a large and crowded parking lot, etc. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  provides an illustration of a somewhat heavier and more complex vehicle cover  310 , or more particularly, a pair of load covers for a trash truck T or the like. The vehicle cover  310  includes a forward and a rearward roller (shown in detail in  FIG. 5 , and described in detail further below) with a protective tarp, respectively  312   a  and  312   b , extending therefrom. The rollers, and their retracted tarps  312   a  and  312   b , are respectively contained within forwardly and rearwardly installed housings  314   a  and  314   b , mounted at the forward and rearward ends of the cargo or trash compartment of the trash truck T. Each tarp has a second end, respectively  316   a  and  316   b , disposed distally from their respective housings  314   a  and  314   b  when the tarps are extended, with a rigid spreader bar  318  extending thereacross. Each spreader bar  318  includes a first end  322   a  and an opposite second end  322   b , with a cable  324  extending from a spirator or roller within the housings  314   a ,  314   b  to each of the ends of the spreader bar  318 . 
         [0028]    The cables  324 , disposed on opposite sides of the assembly, are illustrated for a single roller configuration in  FIG. 7  of the drawings. Each cable  324  extends beyond its respective spreader bar end  322   a ,  322   b  and passes around or through an intermediate guide  326  (pulley, etc.) disposed at the top of the central portion of the cargo or trash container of the truck T. The two right side cables extend through at least one secondary guide or pulley  328 , thence passing laterally beneath the truck T to a takeup or extension reel  329  powered by an electric motor  330 . The left side cable pair  324  extends through a similar system but avoids the need for the secondary guides or pulleys  328 , as they remain along one side of the truck T. It will be seen that alternative cable takeup systems may be provided, e.g. moving the motor  330  and takeup reel  329  to the opposite side of the truck, providing a separate motor  330  and takeup reel  329  for each side, moving the motor(s)  330  and takeup reel(s) to the top of the cargo container to shorten the cable runs and eliminate the need for the intermediate cable guides or pulleys  326 , etc. 
         [0029]    The motor  330  may be powered from the vehicle electrical storage battery, or other conventional electrical power supply. The system may be actuated by conventional switches located on the housings  314   a ,  314   b , or, alternatively, by a conventional control located in the cab of the truck T. The housings  314   a ,  314   b  may incorporate supplemental or emergency lighting thereon, generally as shown installed upon the housing  214  in the embodiment  210  of  FIG. 2  and described further above. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  of the drawings provides an illustration of yet another embodiment of the retractable panel, comprising a portable advertising or display sign  410 . The portable sign assembly  410  includes a pair of flexible panels or banners  412   a ,  412   b , which retract into and extend from corresponding housings  414   a ,  414   b . The housings  414   a ,  414   b  are supported upon a portable frame  416  or other suitable structure. While two panels  412   a ,  412   b  and housings  414   a ,  414   b  are shown in  FIG. 4 , it will be understood that only a single panel and housing may be installed on the frame  416 , if so desired. The second ends of the banners or panels  412   a ,  412   b  are equipped with a series of hooks or the like  418 , which may be secured about a bottom member of the frame  416 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The advertising display  410  of  FIG. 4  may also include supplemental lighting  420 , e.g., illumination disposed below the housings  414   a ,  414   b , to illuminate a message(s)  422  provided on the banners  412   a ,  412   b . Other lighting, not shown but similar to that shown in  FIGS. 1-3  and described above, may be provided atop the housings  414   a ,  414   b  to attract attention. 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  of the drawings provides further details of a double roller and panel device suitable for use as a centrally mounted vehicle cover as shown in  FIG. 2  of the drawings. The housing  214  is secured atop a base  232 , which is, in turn, secured to the top of the vehicle (e.g., car, boat, etc.) by conventional means. Two rollers, respectively  234   a  and  234   b , are installed within the housing  214 . Each roller includes a first end  236   a  and an opposite second end  236   b.    
         [0032]    Each of the first ends  236   a  includes a spirator, respectively  238   a  and  238   b , attached thereto. These spirators, and other spirators used in the various embodiments of the present invention, have a coiled spring  240  formed of a flat length of spring steel. The inner end of the spring is affixed to a central hub  242 , which has a non-circular receptacle that accepts a correspondingly shaped stationary post  244 , which extends from a first or spirator attachment bracket  246 . The opposite end of the spirator spring  240  is affixed to the reel  248 , which rotates about the non-rotating hub  242 . The spring  240  is in a normally tightly coiled configuration, and urges the reel  248  (and roller, e.g., roller  234   a , and its attached panel or tarp, e.g., tarp  212   a ) to a retracted configuration, with the tarp or panel rolled upon the roller. 
         [0033]    Extension of the tarp or panel against the tension of the spring  240  may only be maintained by holding or capturing the distal end of the panel, e.g., by hooks, extension mechanism, etc. Release of the extension means automatically results in the retraction of the tarp or panel onto the roller, as the roller is rotated by the spirator. The opposite second ends  236   b  of the rollers  234   a ,  234   b  have concentric shafts  250  extending therefrom, which rotate within receptacles  252  formed within second brackets or pillow blocks  254 . The shafts  250  may include conventional bearings installed thereon, if so desired. 
         [0034]    It will be noted that the two rollers  234   a  and  234   b  are oriented oppositely to one another, i.e., the first end  236   a  of the first roller  234   a  is adjacent the second end  236   b  of the second roller  234   b . This is due to the opposed installations of their respective first or spirator mounting brackets  246  and second mounting brackets or pillow blocks  254 . This allows the two rollers  234   a ,  234   b , their respective tarps or panels  212   a ,  212   b , and their spirators  238   a ,  238   b  to be assembled identically to one another, and turned around relative to one another for the panels  212   a ,  212   b  to extend and retract oppositely to one another, as shown in  FIG. 2  of the drawings. It will be noted also that the receptacles formed in the spirator hubs  242  pass all the way through the hubs, thus allowing the spirators  238   a ,  238   b  to be oriented in whichever direction is desired to provide the desired direction of retraction. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  provides an exploded perspective view of a single roller and dual spirator installation embodiment  610 . Such a dual spirator installation may be necessary where a relatively heavy and/or lengthy panel  612  is used in order to provide the required retraction force. Two spirators are installed upon the roller  634 , with a first spirator  238   a  installed upon the first end  636   a  of the roller  634 , and a second spirator  238   b  installed upon the opposite second end  636   b  of the roller. The two mounting brackets  646   a ,  646   b  and their spirator hub engaging posts  644  are similar to one another, as both mate with identical spirators. At least one of the two mounting brackets, e.g., the first bracket  646   a , is detachable from the base  632  in order to provide the proper installation sequence for the assembly. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  provides a schematic illustration of such a dual spirator, single roller embodiment  610 , further incorporating motorized extension and lighting means. The panel, tarp, or pad is not shown in  FIG. 7 , for clarity in the drawing. However, the roller  634  includes first and second spirators, respectively  238   a  and  238   b , at the opposite ends  636   a  and  636   b  thereof, mounted upon opposed first and second brackets  646   a  and  646   b . In most cases, the cables normally provided with the spirator devices are not required. However, in the embodiment of  FIG. 3  (cargo area cover for a truck) and  FIG. 7 , the cables  224  are retained for connection to the motorized extension system. The system includes a pair of intermediate or corner guides  326  (e.g., pulleys, fairleads, etc.), which guide the two cables  324  to at least one, and preferably a pair, of generally centrally disposed secondary guides  328 . From the guides  328 , the cables  324  continue to a panel extension or takeup reel  329 , which is driven by a panel extension or takeup motor  330 . The motor  330  may be actuated by a conventional motor control system  331 , e.g., remotely controlled by a control device, such as a remote vehicle security control device, etc., or alternatively by a manually actuated switch at the motor  330  or elsewhere on the vehicle or in the system as desired. The device may include lighting means  220  for emergency, warning, or other illumination purposes, the lighting being disposed on the housing  212 , for example, as shown in  FIG. 2  of the drawings. The lighting  220  may be remotely or manually controlled by a conventional control device or system  221  similar to the motor control device or system  331  described above. 
         [0037]    In conclusion, the retractable panel in its various embodiments greatly simplifies the construction and operation of such a device by using a spirator retraction mechanism to drive the roller for the panel of the device. The retractable panel mechanism is particularly well suited for use in storing, deploying, and retracting protective pads for installation in elevators, but may be adapted as dual roller embodiments incorporating spirator retraction devices at either or both ends of the rollers, as desired. The further incorporation of motorized extension means and lighting means with any of the various embodiments provides further utility and versatility for the retractable panels. Accordingly, the retractable panel will be greatly appreciated by those employed in elevator and building maintenance, as well as persons requiring a quickly installable and removable vehicle cover, advertising, display, or informational sign, or other similar device requiring a quickly extendable and retractable sheet or panel. 
         [0038]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.