Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Signs – With raising or lowering means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-08
2001-12-11
Green, Brian K. (Department: 3628)
Card, picture, or sign exhibiting
Signs
With raising or lowering means
C040S617000, C160S339000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06327803
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is for a system used to automatically lower signs such as banners, flags or posters which are suspended from permanent support members. Such signs are increasingly used in connection with interior applications such as retail displays. The signs are typically used to attract and inform shoppers of the presence of particular brands of merchandise offered for sale and also to communicate special pricing terms. Accordingly, it is desirable to be able to mount such signs in such a way that the signs can be removed or replaced quickly and easily. The use of signs which can be easily replaced allows the merchandiser to keep the messages or products which are being advertised current and, thus, allows the merchandiser to quickly accommodate the introduction of new products, styles and promotions. Frequent replacement of signs further informs the customers that new merchandise has been stocked and is available for sale.
In the past, signs which have been used required an installer to climb up on a suitable ladder or lift to initially install and secure hardware for mounting the sign. Whenever the sign had to be replaced, the same procedure was followed. That required the installer to be elevated to or near the ceiling to remove the sign to be replaced and mount the new sign.
The use of mechanized lifts requires a significant capital investment and a suitable location in which to store the lift. Accordingly, most merchandisers use conventional ladders to replace such suspended signs. Using ladders, however, is undesirable because it introduces the possibility of injury to the installer and those in the near vicinity of the operation. Because of the considerable heights of the ceilings from which the signs are suspended, the potential for severe injury is escalated. Many department stores have ceilings which are over 20 feet high and the top of the sign or banner when displayed is often over 15 feet from the floor. The mechanics of changing the sign from a ladder limit operations to those which can be performed within arms length. When a sign is longer than arms length changing the sign may require the involvement of two persons on separate ladders. In the event one person attempts to change the sign, the sign must be temporarily suspended by a single line while the ladder is moved from a first to a second position. Further, balancing on a ladder high above the floor while manually manipulating hardware which secures the sign can be difficult. It is further undesirable to set up ladders during times in which the store is opened to the public. This situation introduces the possibility that the public may interfere with the operation and disrupts normal operations.
The present procedures for removing and replacing signs are inadequate. There is a need for a convenient manner in which to quickly and easily change such signs. The manner should be able to easily conform to existing facilities. Further the manner to access the sign should be convenient to the replacement operation and practical. Lastly, access to the sign should be provided in such a way that unauthorized individuals would not have ready access to the control means so as to prevent vandalism and theft of the signs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
By the present invention, a system is provided by which signs suspended overhead can be removed and replaced quickly, easily and safely, and without the use of a ladder or mechanized lifts. Furthermore, the system prevents easy access to the suspended signs by vandals or thieves.
In order to achieve these advantages, the system includes a support or ceiling unit attachable to a ceiling for supporting a sign, lines of nylon or the like for suspending the sign below the ceiling unit. The lines are connected to a rotatable shaft in the ceiling unit, which winds and unwinds the lines to raise and lower the signs. A motor is mounted in the ceiling unit and connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft. The system also includes a portable elongate control device operable by a person on the floor to raise and lower signs for removal and replacement. The control device includes a battery for supplying power to the motor in the ceiling unit and an arrangement for conducting power from the battery to the motor. The arrangement includes a telescoping tubular shaft extending between a housing for the battery and a paddle for engaging the ceiling unit for the sign. First electrical contacts are positioned on the paddle, and second electrical contacts are positioned on the exterior of the ceiling unit for the sign so that electric current can flow from the battery, through the extended tubular portion, the first contacts, and the second contacts to the motor in the ceiling unit. A switch is positioned on an end of the control device grasped by a user, and operation of the switch controls the direction of flow of current from the battery to the motor and, thereby, controls the direction of rotation of the motor. Accordingly a reversible electric motor is provided. A brake is provided to prevent the sign from unintentionally lowering under its own weight. Radially extending from the ceiling unit are guide members to guide the contact member of the control device into the proper position on the ceiling unit so that the contacts are in engagement with each other and the paddle disengages the brake the when the paddle of the control device is in engagement with the ceiling unit and the guide. The paddle is shaped to conform to the portion of the ceiling unit around the second contacts to aid in proper engagement of the paddle with the ceiling unit.
REFERENCES:
patent: 662089 (1900-11-01), Pettey
patent: 1340066 (1920-05-01), Lemle
patent: 3335511 (1967-08-01), Fromme et al.
patent: 4434570 (1984-03-01), Roos
patent: 4829688 (1989-05-01), Mouraret et al.
patent: 5529274 (1996-06-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 5870845 (1999-02-01), Ruderman et al.
patent: 453359 (1991-10-01), None
Aitken Andrew C.
Green Brian K.
Venable Baetjer Howard & Civiletti LLP
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