Patent Document

[0001]    This application claims the benefit of the priority filing date of provisional application No. 62/206,183 filed Aug. 17, 2015. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Commercial, industrial and residential spaces, such as malls, warehouse stores and other locations, typically have high ceilings from which promotional and similar display items frequently need to be displayed. These display items may consist of marketing materials such as merchandising displays, posters, placards and three-dimensional or two-dimensional point of purchase display items. Occasionally, actual merchandise may be suspended for view and promotion. For example, tools in home improvement stores are frequently suspended for display. In some work environments there is a need to hang tools above work spaces and assembly areas to make room for work activities. To remove and reinstall these items, when replacing or stowing and storing a tool or display, employees must scale a ladder or other similar apparatus to take down the displayed item. 
         [0003]    A common method of removing and reinstalling display items is for an employee to climb up to the height of the item near the ceiling and manipulate it by hand. During this process, employees must frequently climb to a height of twelve feet or more, lean out of balance, and make multiple trips up and down depending on the number of items. Common climbing apparatus, such as A-frame ladders and the like, being generally narrow, are particularly ill suited for supporting persons at a great height due to their tendency to tip over. Because businesses frequently need to change multiple individual signs, there is a risk an employee will fall and cause injury at great expense to the employer. 
         [0004]    Furthermore, using a ladder (or similar support) necessarily incurs additional expenses including purchasing costs, providing a secure storage location when not in use, and paying for added employee time to retrieve the ladder and put it away every time a display item needs to be changed. To the extent the ladder is frequently used, these expenses are compounded by the ongoing risk an employee will accidentally fall and cause injury as well as the possibility and danger of injury associated with using these ladders/devices around customers in the area under a display. 
         [0005]    Certain apparatus and methods have been developed in the art for removing and replacing signage and similar items suspended from a substantial height. Predominantly, these involve employees manipulating a long pole or telescoping tool while standing on the ground. While they avoid the risk of falling, these technologies are disfavored. Long poles tend to flex along their length, and small movements by the employee grasping one end of a pole translates into large movements at the other end, making it unwieldy and difficult and dangerous to handle. 
         [0006]    The difficulty in handling and manipulating pole-type apparatus also risks damage to lighting, ceiling structures, tiles and at times the employee losing control of the pole and the pole striking a customer in the vicinity of the employee. The weight of these apparatus can also be problematic when hanging, raising, and lowering items and/or displays. Like ladders, poles need to be stored, then retrieved and put away again in order to change displayed items. 
         [0007]    For the above reasons, there is an need for an apparatus allowing easy display, adjusting and removal of displayed items hanging from a ceiling or from any substantial height. There is also need to eliminate the requirement for additional equipment such as ladders or poles, and the time, expense, and dangers inherent in operating them. Additionally, there is a need for a self contained apparatus that conveniently stows away when not in use. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    An apparatus for hanging and manipulating a display item from a ceiling includes a ceiling tube having a tension pulley with a line passing through the ceiling tube and engaging the tension pulley. A housing having a motor driven take up reel is coupled to the line. The housing includes a first hanging structure for suspending the display item. The motor driven take up reel lowers or raises the housing relative to the ceiling tube when the motor driven take up reel is rotated, and the tension pulley resiliently holds the line as the motor driven take up reel rotates. 
         [0009]    The ceiling tube includes a second hanging structure for suspending the ceiling tube from the ceiling, and a releasable clip on the line between the ceiling tube and the housing prevents the line from entering the housing. The housing also includes a battery-powered motor for rotating the motor driven take up reel. The housing has a first slot for allowing the line to move along the motor driven take up reel ( 48 ) as the motor driven take up reel rotates. 
         [0010]    The housing includes a second slot allowing the hanging structure to move lengthwise along the housing. A level indicator may be included on the housing, and a plurality of tension pulleys may be located inside the ceiling tube. In one embodiment, the motor driven take up reel may be mounted on a rod inside the housing, the rod supported by a bushing inside the housing. Preferably the apparatus includes a remote control for controlling the motor driven take up reel. In one alternative embodiment, the housing may be automatically leveled by an electro-mechanical or mechanical self-leveling system controlled by sensors, electronic circuitry, pulleys and/or the motor. 
         [0011]    In an alternative embodiment the apparatus may include a ceiling tube for anchoring to a ceiling, the ceiling tube including a tension pulley. A housing is coupled to the ceiling tube by a line, the housing having a plurality of motor driven take up reels engaging the line. The plurality of motor driven take up reels lowers or raises the housing relative to the ceiling tube when the plurality of motor driven take up reels is rotated, and the line passes through the ceiling tube and engages the tension pulley such that the tension pulley holds the line within the ceiling tube as the plurality of motor driven take up reels rotates. 
         [0012]    The ceiling tube may also include a hanging structure for suspending the ceiling tube from the ceiling. A releasable clip may be included on the line between the ceiling tube and the housing, the releasable clip preventing the line from entering the ceiling tube and the housing. The housing preferably includes a battery-powered motor for rotating the motor driven take up reels, and a first slot allowing the line to move along the motor driven take up reels as the motor driven take up reels rotate. The housing also preferably includes a second slot allowing the hanging structure to move lengthwise along the housing. As with the first embodiment, the apparatus preferably includes a level indicator on the housing (and/or an automatic self-leveling system within the housing and/or ceiling tube), and may have a plurality of tension pulleys inside the ceiling tube. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of an item hanging and manipulating apparatus; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a front section view of the item hanging and manipulating apparatus; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates the item hanging and manipulating apparatus installed on a ceiling and in use by a user. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an item hanging and manipulating apparatus  10  comprises a ceiling tube  12  and a housing  22 . The ceiling tube  12  is installed on or near a ceiling  14 . For this purpose, the ceiling tube  12  may include first hanging structures  16  (such as loops, hooks, clips, adhesive, magnets, etc.) for coupling it to the ceiling  14 , or any similar means used to suspend a display item  18  (such as a poster, placard, or other object) from the ceiling  14 . In one embodiment, the ceiling tube  12  may be substantially nine to twelve inches in length, although any preferred length is contemplated. 
         [0017]    A line  20  passes through the ceiling tube  12 , coupling the ceiling tube  12  to the housing  22 . The housing  22  is preferably electro-mechanical, raising and lowering itself on the line  20  relative to the ceiling tube  12  under its own power. Clips  24 , such as pinch clips for example, are placed on the line  20  to set the maximum desired return height of the housing  22  (i.e., its closest proximity to the ceiling tube  12 ). The housing  22  includes first slots  26  that allow the line  20  to reel in and out of the housing  22 . A leveling system  28 , such as a bubble level indicator for example, allows a user to level the housing  22 . In other embodiments, the housing  22  may be automatically leveled by an electro-mechanical or mechanical self-leveling system  28  controlled by sensors, electronic circuitry such as a circuit chip  68  ( FIG. 2 ), pulleys and/or a motor  62  ( FIG. 2 ). Leveling may be accomplished by having the leveling system  28  on the ceiling tube  12 . An on-board photovoltaic cell  30  may be included for charging batteries  64  ( FIG. 2 ) and/or powering components of the apparatus  10 , and a first power indicator  32 , such as an LED for example, indicates when power is low. In one embodiment, the housing  22  may be sixteen inches in length, although any preferred length is contemplated. 
         [0018]    The housing  22  also includes second hanging structures  34  for connecting to a display bar  36  for suspending a planar display item  18  such as a poster or similar display prone to undesirable bending. Optionally, the second hanging structures  34  may connect directly to the display item  18  without the display bar  36 . Like the first hanging structures  16 , the second hanging structures  34  may include loops, hooks, clips, adhesive, magnets, etc., or any similar means used to suspend a display item  18 . In order to accommodate differently sized display items  18 , the housing  22  preferably includes a second slot  38  along which the second hanging structures  34  travel in linear arrangement, allowing users to slide them closer together or farther apart. Also preferably, the second hanging structures  34  may be biased to retain a chosen position along the second slot  38  unless moved by a user. 
         [0019]    The apparatus  10  may include arrow indicators for raising and lowering the housing  22  and an on/off switch. A remote control  40  is preferably included with arrow indicator buttons  42  and a power on/off functionality to promote ease of use, and a second power indicator  44 , such as an LED for example, that indicates when the apparatus  10  is low on power. The remote control  40  can be used to lower the housing  22 , attach a display item  18  (or a combination of the display item  18  and the display bar  36 ) to the housing  22 , and raise the housing  22  and display item  18  to a preferred height without having to leave the ground. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the ceiling tube  12  includes tension pulleys  46  to allow horizontal adjustment of the housing  22 , by simply manipulating the housing  22  to a desired position, which will cause the line  20  to travel through the ceiling tube  12  as needed. The tension pulleys  46  will retain the position of the line  20  (and therefore the position of the housing  22 ) in the preferred position until the housing  22  is once again adjusted by a user. The clips  24  coupled to the line  20  govern the amount of adjustment that can be made when manipulating the housing  22  (i.e., lowering or raising the clips  24  on the line  20 , respectively increases or decreases adjustability). 
         [0021]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the housing  22  takes in or releases the line  20  to raise or lower the housing  22  relative to the ceiling tube  12 . Excess line  20  is preferably stored on one or more take-up reels  48  installed just below the first slots  26  through which the line  20  travels. The take-up reels  48  preferably move in tandem on a rod  50  substantially spanning the housing  22 . The rod  50  may be supported by a first support  52  having a first bushing  54  and a second support  56  with a second bushing  58 , which allow the rod  50  to rotate. In the illustrated embodiment, the take up reels  48  are disposed between the first support  52  and second support  56 , although other rod  50  supporting arrangements are possible according to preference. 
         [0022]    The rod  50  is coupled to a gear box  60  and a motor  62  that govern the rotational direction and speed of the rod  50 . Power to the motor  62  is supplied by a series of on-board rechargeable batteries  64  that may derive power from the photovoltaic cell  30  (not shown). In alternative embodiments, a wired power source (not shown) for charging the batteries  64  quickly or powering the apparatus  10  in dim environments, may be included. In another alternative embodiment, a regenerative system (not shown) may be coupled to the motor  62 , to harvest power from rotational movement of the rod  50  as the housing  22  descends under gravity. 
         [0023]    Power distribution and motor  62  control is governed by a circuit chip  68 . The circuit chip  68  is in communication with the photovoltaic cell  30 , the first power indicator  32 , the batteries  64  and the motor  62 . The circuit chip  68  is also in preferably wireless communication with the remote control  40 , and coordinates up and down movement of the housing  22  and activation of the second power indicator  44  on the remote control  40  when power is low. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , with the ceiling tube  12  installed adjacent a ceiling  14 , the housing  22  is suspended by the line  20 . By operating the remote control  40 , the housing  22  may be raised or lowered according to preference. Since the display item  18  typically remains displayed for a prolonged period and in a well-lit environment during business hours, power continuously harvested by the photovoltaic cell  30  is sufficient to recharge the batteries  64  (not shown) and/or other components of the apparatus  10  after the brief power demands of raising and lowering the display item  18 . 
         [0025]    The item hanging and manipulating apparatus  10  having been described, its method of use will now be discussed. 
         [0026]    In order to use the apparatus  10 , a user initially identifies an area in a commercial location for a hanging display item  18 , preferably in a well lit environment. For initial installation, the user affixes the ceiling tube  12  to the ceiling  14 , using the first hanging structures  16  (e.g., loops, hooks, clips, adhesive, magnets, etc.) most suited to the particular location. Preferably, the apparatus  10  initially arrives with the line  20  completely reeled into the housing  22  to avoid tangling. Also, the apparatus  10  preferably arrives with the batteries  64  pre-charged. 
         [0027]    Once the ceiling tube  12  is anchored in the desired location on the ceiling  14 , the user operates the remote control  40 , causing the circuit chip  68  to coordinate unreeling the line  20  and allowing the housing  22  to descend under gravity to a height approaching the user. With the housing  22  in a lowered position, the user obtains a display item  18 , and couples the display item  18  to the second hanging structures  34 . Alternatively, the display item  18  may be affixed to a display bar  36 , and the display bar  36  coupled to the second hanging structures  34 . In the process of attaching the display item  18 , the second hanging structures  34  are preferably slid along the second slot  38  to an appropriate location, preferably one that balances the display item  18  under the housing  22 . 
         [0028]    Once the display item  18  is installed on the housing  22 , a user may occasionally need to level the display item  18  and housing  22 . The user may simply press down on the housing  22 , which urges the line  20  through the tension pulleys  46  in the ceiling tube  12 , allowing the housing  22  to tilt as needed. Using the level indicator  28 , the user can manipulate the housing  22  to perfect level before raising the display item  18 . 
         [0029]    Once the display item  18  is level, the user operates the remote control  40 , activating the motor  62 , and causing the take-up reels  48  to take up the line  20 , thereby raising the housing  22  and the display item  18  to a desired height. With the up and down indicator buttons  42  on the remote control  40 , the user can easily adjust and change the housing  22  height according to preference. Once in a desired position, the display item  18  remains displayed, and environmental ambient light acts on the photovoltaic cell  30  to keep the batteries  64  charged for later use. Since the layout of commercial businesses rarely changes, climbing up to the ceiling  14  to change the display item&#39;s  18  location will likely be very infrequent. 
         [0030]    Over time, the circuit chip  68  monitors the battery  64  power level and ensures proper charging from the photovoltaic cell  30 . In the event battery  64  power drops below a predetermined level, or fails to recharge, the circuit chip  68  will sense the low power level and illuminate the first power indicator  32  on the housing  22  and the second power indicator  44  on the remote control  40 . The second power indicator  44  will also illuminate if the remote control  40  batteries are low in power. This action is preferably calibrated to occur before power drops below a level sufficient for normal operation. A user alerted to the low power condition may then address the issue by raising the ambient light level, or if the problem persists, lowering the housing  22  for inspection and/or battery replacement or repair. 
         [0031]    The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment is sufficient to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the preferred embodiment. It is understood, however, that the preferred embodiment is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, in as much as equivalents thereof and other modifications which come within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this specification.

Technology Category: 3