U.S. patent application number 10/138413 was filed with the patent office on 2003-06-19 for reinforced hanging rod with a built-in lighting integration.
Invention is credited to Chen, Chia-Teh.
Application Number | 20030111435 10/138413 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21687732 |
Filed Date | 2003-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030111435 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen, Chia-Teh |
June 19, 2003 |
Reinforced hanging rod with a built-in lighting integration
Abstract
A hanging rod with a built in lighting integration includes a
metal upper cover, a translucent plastic lower lampshade engaged
with said cover, and a support base having a fluorescent tube
placed on a bottom thereof and an electronic ballast located
between the cover and the lampshade. Furthermore, the present
invention relates to a hanging rod with a reinforced structure and
a built-in lighting integration capable of providing accent
illumination to clothes or objects being hung thereunder. More
particularly, the invention emphasizes the integration of ballast
and fluorescent tube inside a confined space of a hanging rod which
needs to be adaptable to popular sizes and styles of clothes
hangers used by consumers while providing sufficient illumination
as well as heavy weight bearing capacity.
Inventors: |
Chen, Chia-Teh; (Taipei,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROSENBERG, KLEIN & LEE
3458 ELLICOTT CENTER DRIVE-SUITE 101
ELLICOTT CITY
MD
21043
US
|
Family ID: |
21687732 |
Appl. No.: |
10/138413 |
Filed: |
May 6, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/123 ;
211/105.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 61/003 20130101;
F21V 23/02 20130101; F21V 33/0012 20130101; F21S 8/031 20130101;
F21V 17/16 20130101; F21Y 2103/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/123 ;
211/105.1 |
International
Class: |
A47H 001/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 18, 2001 |
TW |
90222222 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A hanging rod with a built-in lighting integration comprising: a
metal upper cover and a translucent plastic lower lampshade being
engaged with the cover; a support base having a fluorescent tube
placed on a bottom thereof and an electronic ballast located
between the cover and the lampshade.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the cover is buckled with the
lampshade to form a substantially ellipsoidal shape thereby making
an inner space larger for accommodation of various components and
the structure sturdier for weight bearing.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the cover is engaged with the
lampshade together by engagement slots.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein an inner wall of the cover is
constructed with a plurality of deep ribs disposed in row to
reinforce the weight bearing capacity of the hanging rod.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein an outside surface of the cover
is constructed with a plurality of thinner ribs disposed in row to
offer ant-scratch protection.
6. The device of claim 3, wherein the support base is assembled
with the cover by sliding lateral sides thereof along the
engagement slots of the cover.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein a L-shaped portion is further
punched and formed near each end of the support base to thereby
enable a pair of tapping screws to be guided into a space between
the ribs through the L-shaped portion for further fixing the
support base to avoid shaking.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein a pair of fixtures are
constructed and connected for mounting purpose, and the structure
of such mounting fixtures is selected from the group consisting of
a shelf mounted, a ceiling mounted, a wall to wall mounted, and a
single back wall mounted.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein a push and pull design composed
of two adjustment units can be constructed and connected to the
fixtures to facilitate replacement of the fluorescent tube, each of
the adjustable units including a connection body and a vertical
connector, the vertical connector being vertically connected to the
connection body at one end and pivotally connected to the fixture,
the connection body further including a stationary lid engaged with
the cover of the hanging rod, and a slidable lid engaged with the
lampshade of the hanging rod.
10. The device of claim 8, wherein one of the fixtures located at
one end of the hanging rod provides a pull chain switch or a simple
on-off switch to allow manual control of the light.
11. The device of claim 8, wherein an automatic motion sensor is
further provided and connected to the hanging rod to offer
automatic control of light.
12. The device of claim 8, wherein one of the fixtures located at
one end of the hanging rod provides a socket, and the other fixture
located at the other end of the hanging rod provides an electrical
plug, thereby more than one of the hanging rods can be electrically
connected in series.
13. The device of claim 8, wherein a reinforcement hook is further
provided at a middle of the hanging rod to substantially improve
the weight bearing capacity of the hanging rod when the hanging rod
is extended.
14. The device of claim 8, wherein the hanging rod is mounted on a
shelf via a pin where a slot is defined for adjusting a location of
the hanging device on the shelf.
15. The device of claim 8, wherein the hanging rod is integrally
formed with a rack having a plurality of stems in a parallel
direction, and two ends of the rack are respectively formed a left
frame and a right frame which are integrally connected with two
ends of the hanging rod such composite hanging rack can be either
wall to wall mounted or single back wall mounted.
16. The device of claim 9, wherein the slidable lid has a
engagement support member having one end fixed in the slidable lid
and the other end located in a side of the stationary lid to
prevent the slidable cover from dropping due to over push.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a hanging rod with a
reinforced structure and a built-in lighting integration capable of
providing accent illumination to clothes or objects being hung
thereunder. More particularly, the invention emphasizes the
integration of ballast and fluorescent tube inside a confined space
of a hanging rod which needs to be adaptable to popular sizes and
styles of clothes hangers used by consumers while providing
sufficient illumination as well as heavy weight bearing
capacity.
[0003] 2. Background of the Invention
[0004] A conventional closet is usually provided with lighting and
hanging rod. In most of the cases, the light source is mounted on a
ceiling of the closet. The hanging rod is usually installed between
two sidewalls of the closet for hanging clothing or the like. For
closet illumination, the area where consumers most need light is
where they hang their clothes so that they can make a quick and
right pick of clothes for specific occasions. The conventional way
of lighting management obviously can not satisfy the need in this
respect. The light coming from the remote ceiling in most cases
does not provide a sufficient illumination to serve such accent
need. Moreover the closets are always installed with wood or metal
shelves right above the hanging rods for storage of folded clothes,
accessories or other necessities, illumination for the hang clothes
become even worse because the light from the ceiling source is
largely blocked by the shelves and stuff thereon.
[0005] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a hanging rod of the prior
art. As shown in FIG. 1, a hanging device 20 includes a ballast
201, two fixtures 203, two adjustment units 205, a hang rod 207,
and a fluorescent tube 208. The ballast 201 is connected to an
electrical wire 202. The fixture 203 has a hollow portion in the
center thereof where the electrical wire 202 can penetrate. A
plurality of adjustment holes 204 are further formed on the
fixtures 203. The adjustment units 205 are respectively provided
with a slot 206 matching the adjustment holes 204 for fixing the
above elements. The hanging rod 207 is connected to the two
adjustment units 205 at both ends thereof. The fluorescent tube 208
is located inside the hanging rod 207, and the ballast 201 is
normally mounted under the shelf or on the wall or anywhere
adjacent to the top of the hanging rod 207. The ballast 201,
located outside the hanging rod 207, wastes not only the inner
space of the closet but also the consumer's time for additional
installation work. Each end of fixtures 203 is fastened upon the
shelf by screws. The hanging rod 207 is composed of an upper half
cover 2071 and a lower half cover 2072. The upper half cover 2071
is made out of metal (aluminum alloy) and the lower half cover 2072
is made out of translucent plastic.
[0006] There is nothing but the fluorescent tube and sockets inside
the hanging rod 207. If an excessive amount of clothes is hung on
the hanging rod 207, the hanging rod 207 may warp or break due to
insufficient structural support. This could be dangerous because
the fluorescent tube may consequently break with a result of
exposing the users to electrical shock or physical hurt.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention represents a major improvement over
the prior art in the following purposes.
[0008] (1) The bulky electronic ballast is integrated into the
hanging rod resulting into an esthetic and compact product look. It
saves not only the inner space of the closet but also the
consumer's time for additional installation work. The inclusion and
construction of the bulky electronic ballast inside the confined
space of the hanging rod represents a superior engineering design
since the cross dimension of the hanging rod is governed by the
hook size of popular clothes hangers used by consumers.
[0009] (2) The structure and weight bearing capacity of the hanging
rod substantially are reinforced through the construction of rid
structure on the inner wall of the upper cover. The inclusion of
ballast and support base making the hanging rod a non-hollow
structure also helps the reinforcement effect.
[0010] (3) New push-pull style adjustment units are added to offer
consumers easy replacement of the fluorescent tube without the need
of using any hand tool.
[0011] (4) New reinforcement hook for longer rod, aside from
raising the hanging capacity, also offers free slide without
interruption for clothes hangers. This is a convenient feature for
consumers to pick or hang clothes.
[0012] (5) New power in and out designs allow two or more sets of
hanging rods to be electrically connectable in series, a very
useful creation for a walk in closet.
[0013] (6) New invention of motion sensor for fluorescent tube is
connected to the hanging device to detect the motion and instantly
turn on the fluorescent tube.
[0014] (7) New rib structure on the surface of the upper cover
offers anti-scratch protection for the surface finish, and it also
helps strengthens the hangs rod structure.
[0015] (8) Aside from the shelf mounted design, other mounting
options include the wall to wall mounted, the back wall mounted and
the ceiling mounted structures are further added to expand
applicability.
[0016] The various objects and advantages of the present invention
will be more readily understood from the following detailed
description when read in conjunction with the appended
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The drawings included herein provide a further understanding
of the invention and incorporated herein, constitute a part of the
invention disclosure. A brief introduction of the drawings is a
follows:
[0018] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the previously invented
hanging device.
[0019] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the hanging device according
to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2A is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a hanging device
assembled according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a hanging device
according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a hanging device in use
according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a view showing the push pull design for the
replacement of a fluorescent tube according to the first embodiment
of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of two hanging devices connected
in series according to a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of two interconnected hanging
devices with a motion sensor according to a third embodiment of the
present invention.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a hanging device with a
reinforcement hook according to a fourth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a hanging device mounted on a
metal shelf according to a fifth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view showing the structure of a
connection body of the push and pull device of the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 12A is a schematic view of a ceiling mounted hanging
rod using a pair of extendable down rods according to a sixth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 12B is a schematic view of a wall to wall mounted
hanging rod according to a seventh embodiment of the present
invention.
[0032] FIG. 12C is a schematic view of a hanging rod integrated
with a rack structure mounted on the two side walls according to an
eighth embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 12D is a schematic view of a hanging rod integrated
with a rack structure mounted on a single back wall according to
the ninth embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0034] With reference to FIG. 2 through FIG. 4, a hanging device 10
of the invention comprises two fixtures 2, two adjustment units 3,
and a hanging rod 4 with internal lighting. The hanging rod 4
includes a cover 41 and a lampshade 42. The cover 41 is engaged
with the lampshade 42 together to form a substantially ellipsoidal
shape. The cross dimension of the hanging rod 4 is governed by the
adaptability to common clothes hangers used by the consumers. At
the locations where the cover 41 and the lampshade 42 are engaged,
engagement slots 411, 421 are formed in a shape of "" for buckling
the cover 41 and the lampshade 42.
[0035] A support base 43 is assembled with the cover 41 via lateral
sides of the support base 43 engaging the engagement slots 411 of
the cover 41. The support base 43 is thereby firmly arranged in the
hanging rod 4. Furthermore, a plurality of ribs 412 that are spaced
apart from one another are formed in row on an inner wall of the
cover 41 to reinforce the strength of hanging device 10 thereby to
increase the weight bearing capacity of the hanging device.
[0036] Lighting such as a fluorescent tube 44 is located underneath
the support base 43, with the electronic ballast 1 being
super-imposed on a top of the support base 43. In other words, both
the ballast 1 and the fluorescent tube 44 are built inside the
hanging rod 4. FIG. 2A is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2. One
L shaped portion 431 is formed near each end of the support base 43
to enable a tapping screw 432 to be guided into a space between the
ribs 412, thereby fixing the support base 43. The support base 43
can be further polished to have a reflective surface 45 for
increasing the illumination of the fluorescent tube 44. The
reflective surface 45 can have a curved shape and is flexible to
absorb pressure from hanging clothes.
[0037] In FIG. 3, the hanging rod 4 is connected to two adjustment
units 3 which is a push-pull design. One end of each adjustment
unit 3 is connected to the hanging rod 4, and the other end is
pivoted on a fixture 2 that fixes the hanging device 10 to a shelf.
The distance between the adjustment unit 3 and the fixture 2 is
disclosed in another application filed by the same applicant.
[0038] Each of the adjustment units 3 includes a connection body 31
and a vertical connector 32 that is vertically connected to one end
of the connection body 31. The vertical connector 32 is pivotally
connected to the fixture 2. The connection body 31 consists of a
stationary lid 311 and a slidable lid 312. Each end of the cover 41
of the hanging rod 4 is engaged with one stationary lid 311. The
slidable lid 312 is detachably connected to each end of the
lampshade 42.
[0039] When assembled, the fluorescent tube 44 is mounted
underneath the support base 43, and the electronic ballast 1 is
super imposed upon the support base 43. The fluorescent tube 44 and
the ballast 1 are positioned between the cover 41 and the lampshade
42. The cover 41 and the lampshade 42 are engaged with each other
through the engagement slots 411, 421 to achieve the construction
of the hanging rod 4. The adjustment units 3 together with the
fixtures 2 are mounted to the ends of the hanging rod 4 so that the
stationary lid 311 is engaged to the cover 41 and the slidable lid
312 is detachably connected to the lampshade 42. The ballast 1 is
provided with a power cord 11 that extends from an opening 21
defined at a top of the fixture 2 for external electrical
connection. Therefore, a hanging device 10 is accomplished, as
shown in FIG. 3.
[0040] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a hanging device in use
according to the first embodiment of the invention. In use
configuration, the fixture 2 is fixed to the shelf as shown in FIG.
5. Clothing is hung on the hanging rod 4 provided with the ballast
1 therein. The hanging rod is reinforced by means of the rib
structure 412 that as well as the engagement slots 411, 421 that
also serve as reinforcement elements. Additionally the ellipsoidal
cross shape of the hanging rod 4 helps to strengthen the hanging
capacity as well.
[0041] FIG. 6 is a view showing a push and pull operation steps for
replacement of the fluorescent tube 44 according to the first
embodiment of the invention. When the fluorescent tube 44 is to be
replaced only the slidable lid 312 is needed to slide outward
(push) to separate from the lampshade 42. Thereafter, the lampshade
42 is pressed inward to detach the engagement slots 421 of the
lampshade 42 from the engagement slots 411 of the cover 41. The
lampshade 42 is thereby easily separated from the hanging rod 4 for
replacing the fluorescent tube 44. After the fluorescent tube 44 is
replaced, press the lampshade 42 inward to attach the engagement
slots 421 of the lampshade 42 to the engagement slot 411 of the
cover 41. The slidable lid 312 is then slid inward (pull) to
restore to the in use position.
[0042] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a hanging device according to
a second embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 7, two hanging
devices 10, 10' similar to those shown in FIG. 2 through FIG. 4 are
electrically connected in series. A socket 22 as shown in FIG. 2 is
provided at a left end of each of the hanging devices 10, 10' and
an electric plug as shown in FIG. 2 is provided at a right end of
each of the hanging devices 10, 10'. The electrical plug 23 of the
hanging device 10' is inserted into the socket 22 of the hanging
device 10 which inturn has another electrical plug to be connected
to the power source. The two connected hanging devices thereby use
only one power source saving the needs for a second power source
arrangement as well as installation work. Furthermore, the two
connected hanging devices look more esthetic & compact than the
individually installed pairs.
[0043] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a hanging device according to
a third embodiment of the invention. An automatic motion sensor 5
is connected to the hanging device 10 can be further provided in
the closet. In FIG. 8, the automatic motion sensor 5 is located on
the power cord 11 extended from the fixtures 2. The sensor 5
detects the motion of approaching person, and instantly turns on
the fluorescent tube 44 of the hanging device 10. The sensor 5 will
keep the light on for a minimum duration of 2-3 minutes and will
keep on functioning till the person (persons) leaves.
[0044] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a hanging device according to
a forth embodiment of the invention. When a longer fluorescent tube
44 is installed in the hanging device, a reinforcement hook 6 is
further mounted at the middle of the hanging rod 4 to support the
longer device. If the hanging rod 4 is not longer than two feet,
the additional reinforcement hook 6 is not required. However, if
the hanging rod 4 is four feet or longer as shown in FIG. 9, the
reinforcement hook 6 is thus needed. The reinforcement hook 6 has
its hook portion surrounded the middle of the hanging rod 4,
leaving the top space of the hanging rod 4 open for free sliding by
clothes hangers.
[0045] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a hanging device according to
a fifth embodiment of the invention. The hanging device 10 is
mounted on a wire rack 7. A pin 71 is used to fix the fixture 2 to
the wire rack 7. The pin 71 has a slot 72 through which a location
of the hanging device 10 on the wire rack can be adjusted.
[0046] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection body
of the invention. When the slidable cover 312 slides outward for
replacing the fluorescent tube 44 in the hanging rod 4, an
engagement support member 313 is further arranged for preventing
the slidable cover 312 from dropping by over push. The engagement
support member 313 is fixed in the slidable lid 312 at one end
thereof, and is further located inside the stationary lid 311 at
the other end. Once the slidable lid 312 is pushed outward to open
the adjustment unit 3, the engagement support member 313 located
inside the stationary lid 311 is immediately engaged with the
stationary lid 311 to stop the slidable 312 from being further
outwardly pushed.
[0047] FIG. 12A to FIG. 12D are embodiments of the invention with
various mounting options.
[0048] FIG. 12A is a ceiling mounted hanging rod using a pair of
extendable down rods 32' to hold the lighted hanging rod 4 and
connect to the track style canopy on the ceiling for power
supply.
[0049] FIG. 12B is a wall to wall mounted hanging rod using a wall
mounted bracket 3' with a U shape slot 30' design to hold the
hanging rod 4 through an adjustable screw bolt 31' at each end of
the hanging rod 4. The adjustable screw bolt 31' is threaded into
the center of the end cap of the hanging rod 4 and can be adjusted
inward and outward along the central line of the hanging rod 4.
[0050] FIG. 12C is the hanging device 10 integrated with a wall to
wall rack structure using a rectangular wall mounted bracket 3'
with two U shape slots 30' design to hold the hanging rack 8
through a pair of adjustable screw bolts 31' which can be adjusted
inward and outward along the stems of the rack 8.
[0051] FIG. 12D is the hanging device 10 integrally formed with a
back wall mounted rack 8. The rack 8 has a plurality of stems 83
arranged in parallel. At ends of the rack 8 are respectively formed
a left mounting plate 81 and a right mounting plate 82 that are
integrally connected with the ends of the hanging device 10.
[0052] In view of the foregoing, the hanging device 10 of the
invention is concluded to possess the following unprecedented
values for home improvement use.
[0053] 1. It offers an economic value by consolidating two separate
working units, lighting and hanging, into a single piece design
saving consumers' time and money.
[0054] 2. It solves the problem of insufficient illumination in a
conventional closet.
[0055] 3. The design of the invention is creative and esthetic.
[0056] 4. The engineering work for the reinforcement of hanging
capacity and consumer's convenience of bulb replacement is compact
and practical.
[0057] 5. The connectability and automatic motion sensor design
further add an unique value of convenience to consumers thereby
broaden the product application. It should be apparent to those
skilled in the art that the above description is only illustrative
of specific embodiments and examples of the invention. The
invention should therefore cover various modifications and
variations made to the herein-described structure and operations of
the invention, provided they fall within the scope of the invention
as defined in the following appended claims.
* * * * *