U.S. patent number RE38,463 [Application Number 09/103,260] was granted by the patent office on 2004-03-16 for sign suspension system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Mechtronics Corporation, Donna M. Stearns. Invention is credited to Christopher S. Anderson, Cary A. Cieciuch, Louis J. Falcone, Anthony C. Squitieri, Donna M. Stearns, Arthur L. Torrence.
United States Patent |
RE38,463 |
Anderson , et al. |
March 16, 2004 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Sign suspension system
Abstract
A remote-controlled motor-driven drum is provided to wind and
unwind a cord which holds a self-balancing sign carrier. The sign
carrier, which has telescoping rails, is adjustable in width. Its
center rail includes two sheaves to receive the cord and lead it
from the drum back to an end secured to the ceiling. Thus, rotation
of the drum serves to raise and lower the sign carrier and a sign
carried by it. The sheaves on the carrier not only allow it to be
raised and lowered, but also serve to make the unit self-balancing
The user attaches a sign to the carrier when it is in its lowered
position and then raises the sign and carrier to the ceiling. The
motor, which is reversible, is remotely controlled either by wires
leading between the motor and a switch or by radio control (with a
control similar to that used on a garage door).
Inventors: |
Anderson; Christopher S.
(Stamford, CT), Falcone; Louis J. (East Norwalk, CT),
Torrence; Arthur L. (Newtown, CT), Cieciuch; Cary A.
(Stratford, CT), Squitieri; Anthony C. (Monroe, CT),
Stearns; Donna M. (Woonsocket, RI) |
Assignee: |
Mechtronics Corporation (White
Plains, NY)
Stearns; Donna M. (Medway, MA)
|
Family
ID: |
31949695 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/103,260 |
Filed: |
June 23, 1998 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
408934 |
Mar 23, 1995 |
05529274 |
Jun 25, 1996 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/329; 248/332;
254/46; 40/601 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F
7/18 (20130101); G09F 2007/186 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G09F
7/18 (20060101); A47H 001/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;248/329,317,320,327,328,332,338 ;40/617,601 ;254/46 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Ramrez; Ramon O.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wiggin & Dana LLP Carlson; Dale
L. Kinney; Michael K.
Claims
We claim:
1. A sign suspension system for suspending display signs from the
ceiling, said system including a sign carrier, said carrier
including at least one horizontal rail and two sheaves, a motor
control unit including a reversible motor and a drum operated by
said motor, said motor control unit being mounted at the ceiling, a
cord-attaching member secured to the ceiling, a cord running from
said cord-attaching member through said sheaves and to said drum,
said cord supporting said sign carrier, and a remote control unit
for operating said motor, said remote control unit having forward,
reverse, and off positions, whereby said sign carrier, carrying a
sign, can be raised and lowered to and from said ceiling.
2. A sign suspension system as set forth in claim 1 in which said
sign carrier includes two side extension rails telescopically
interfitting with said horizontal rail.
3. A sign extension system as set forth in claim 2 in which said
horizontal rail includes slots and said side extension rails
include T-shaped members fitting telescopically into said
slots.
4. A sign suspension system as set forth in claim 1 in which said
sheaves are spaced equidistantly from their respective ends of said
horizontal rail.
5. A sign suspension system as set forth in claim 1 in which the
distance between said sheaves and the distance between said
cord-attaching unit and said drum are substantially the same,
whereby said sign carrier is held in balanced suspension.
6. A sign suspension system as set forth in claim 1 including
reduction gears between said motor and said drum.
7. A sign suspension system as set forth in claim 1 in which said
remote control unit is radio-operated.
8. A sign suspension system for supporting signs from the ceiling
of a building, said sign suspension system including a
power-actuated drum system secured to said ceiling, suspension cord
being carried by said drum, one end of said suspension cord being
secured to said ceiling at a point remote from said drum, a control
circuit for said drum system, a remote controller for operating
said control circuit, a horizontal sign carrier, said sign carrier
having spaced sheaves thereon, and said cord passing between said
sheaves, whereby said cord serves to suspend said sign carrier, and
attachment means for securing a sign to said carrier.
9. A sign suspension system as set forth in claim 8 in which said
horizontal sign carrier includes a horizontal rail and two side
extension rails telescopically interfitting with said horizontal
rail.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a system for suspending signs from the
ceiling and for readily raising them to, and lowering them from,
the ceiling. The system is particularly useful in retail
stores.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many instances in which a retailer desires to hang a sign
from the ceiling, or near to the ceiling, of his store. This has,
in the past, been a problem in that it has often involved obtaining
and using a ladder, or otherwise getting access to the ceiling
area.
The present invention obviates that problem.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention utilizes a remote-controlled motor-driven drum as a
winder, to wind and unwind a cord which is secured between a
ceiling fixture and the drum and is holding a sign carrier. The
sign carrier, which has telescoping rails, is adjustable in width,
so as to hold different size signs. Its center rail includes two
equally-spaced sheaves to receive the cord and lead it from the
motor-driven drum to an end secured to the ceiling. Thus, motion of
the drum serves to raise and lower the sign carrier and a sign
carried by it. The equal spacing between the sheaves on the carrier
and between the ceiling fixture and the drum serve to make the unit
self-balancing.
The user attaches a sign to the carrier when it is in its lowered
position and then uses the motor to raise the sign and carrier to
the ceiling. The motor, which is reversible, is remotely controlled
either by wires leading between the motor and a switch or by radio
control (with a control similar to that used on a garage door).
Reversing the motor, of course, serves to lower the sign so that it
can be replaced.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sign suspension system with the
sign carrier and its sign raised to the ceiling. The user, holding
the remote control, is seen below the sign.
FIG. 2 is a similar perspective view, with the sign and carrier
lowered so that the user can attach his desired sign to the
carrier.
FIG. 3 is a front elevation showing details of the suspension
system.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view, partially broken away, of the portion
of the sign carrier which carriers one of the sheaves. It is shown
in a dotted circle in FIG. 3. The other sheave is similar.
FIG. 5 is a section, taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 4, showing details
of the sheave, suspending cord, and its interconnection to the
central sign-carrying rail.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the sign-carrying
rails and of one of the associated sheaves:
FIG. 7 is a front elevation, partially broken away, of the
motor-drum section of the system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Our self-balancing sign 1 is carried by supporting rails 3. Rails 3
include a center main rail 5 and side rails 7 and 9; and the side
rails have T-shaped members 10 which telescope into slots 33 in
center rail 5 (FIG. 6). The T-shaped members 10 are locked in
position in rail 5 by holding bolts 11. The sign itself is held in
the rails by thumb screws 13.
Center rail 5 carries sheaves 25 and 27, spaced equidistantly from
the ends of rail 5. A supporting cord 23 passes through the
sheaves, entering and leaving rail 5 through openings 6. Sheaves 25
and 27 are mounted in frames 29 and have drums 31 to carry the
cord.
One end of the cord 23 is secured to the ceiling at ceiling
attachment member 41, and the other end is wrapped around drum 53.
Preferably the spacing between sheaves 25 and 27 is the same as the
spacing between of the member 41 and the drum 53. This results in
the sign balancing more readily.
Sign support system 21 includes rails 3, cord 23, sheaves 25 and
27, ceiling attachment 41, and motor-operated drum unit 43. Drum
unit 43 includes a control circuit 45, with antenna 47, a
reversible motor 49, and reduction gear 51 leading from motor 49 to
drum 53. Control circuit 45 is operated by remote control unit 15
(FIG. 1) and antenna 47 in a manner similar to radio-controlled
garage doors. Alternatively, control unit 15 can be wired directly
to control circuit 45 or be operated by infra-red. The control unit
has off, forward, and reverse positions.
To use our sign suspension system, motor 49 is actuated in a
direction so as to lengthen the cord 23, lowering the rails 3 from
the ceiling. Main rail 5 and side rails 7 and 9 are then adjusted
to provide a total length equal to the width of the sign 1 to be
displayed 9 (with side rails 7 and 9 being extended equal amounts);
and the holding bolts 11 are then tightened. The sign 1 is inserted
between the rail sections, and thumb screw 13 is passed through the
sign and the rail sections and tightened. Motor 49 is then operated
in the opposite direction, to shorten cord 23, thus raising the
sign to the ceiling. The sign will self-balance and hang
horizontally at any height desired.
* * * * *