GB2200491A

GB2200491A - Suspension device for display units

Info

Publication number: GB2200491A
Application number: GB08701407A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter John Dennis Bailey
Original assignee: BAILEY CONCEPTS Ltd
Current assignee: BAILEY CONCEPTS Ltd
Priority date: 1987-01-22
Filing date: 1987-01-22
Publication date: 1988-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 2007-01-22
Also published as: GB8701407D0; GB2200491B

Abstract

A device for suspending a display unit 12 (eg, an electronic or a TV display) from an overhead supporting surface 32 (eg, a roof or ceiling), comprises a frame 10 consisting of an inverted U-member 14, a pair of suspension tubes 18 independently slidable into the limbs 20 of the U-member, a bracket 30 for attaching the top of each tube 18 to the surface 32, and a clamp 22 to adjustably clamp each tube relative to its limb 20. A safety cable 38 may connect the frame 10 to the brackets 32, and may pass through the interior of the tubes and the U-member 14. The clamp 22 is a two part ring 24 retained by a sleeve 26, the ring having a raised boss (28, Fig. 6) which passes through an aperture in the limb 20 to frictionally press against the suspension tube 18. <IMAGE>

Description

Title Suspension Device for Display Units and the Like Field of the invention This invention relates to a device for suspending display unit or the like from a roof interior or ceiling or analogous overhead surface. The type of unit to be suspended may be an electronic display such as an LED, LCD or TV display, a fixed display which may be illuminated, a clock display, or a camera or screen appertaining to cinematographic, electronic, laser or holographic apparatus.

Background to the invention It is often required to suspend a display unit or the like as aforesaid from a roof interior or other overnead surface which may or may not be horizontal. The height of @ tlir splay unit below the roof or other supporting surface is often important, and may sometimes be required to be adjustable. Excluding adjustability, it is clearly possible to produce a suspension device @tailored to a particular situation. However, it is an object of th - invention to provide a suspension device which is adaptable for general applicability to a wide variety circumstances and situations.

The invention According to the invention, a device for suspending a display unit or the like from an overhead supporting surface such as a roof interior comprises: - a frame including an inverted U-member of tubular constructlon, the frame normally being orientates with the inverted U-member vertical for mounting of the display unit thereto in an upright position, - two suspension tubes slidable vertically into the vertical limbs of the U-member through the upperost ends of said limbs, - mounting means at the top of each suspension tube for attachment of the suspension tubes to the overhead supporting surface, and @ clamping means by which each suspension tube can be @lamped in a chesen position of adjustment relative to the limb of the U-member throug@ which it is slidable.

The suspension device in accordance with the invention enables a display unit mounted to the U-member to be positioned upright below a h@rizontal or an inclined interior roof or ceiling, by differential adjustment of the suspension tubes, and also enables the height of the display unit to be selected by effecting equal adjustments of the suspension tubes whilst maintaining any helgnt differential therebetween.

A preferred frame is of tubular steel, and includes a crosspiece bridging the U-member adjacent the top thereof for additional rigidity and assistance in mounting of a display unit theret@. The suspension tubes are @@@@ preferably of tubular steel, and may be plastics @@ated.

The mounting means at the top of each suspension tube preferably comprises brackets elongate in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the display unit frame. In the case of a pitched interior roof, such brackets will each attach to the supporting surface horizontally, one at a higher level up the pitch of the roof than the other.

Each suspension tube preferably attaches to its to bracket via a pivotal mounting, as may be provided by an attachment bolt, extending parallel to the length of the bracket. The bracket surface which. attaches to at inclined supporting surface can thus be tilted to match the pitch of the supportirjD surface , whilst the suspension tubes depend horizontally. It will thus be appreciated that, although preferred, the use of brackets which are elongate in a Plane perpendicular to the display unit frame is not essential.If desired, the top brackets may incorporate means permitting piv@tal adjustment in t@@ planes at right angles, instead of just one plane. The top brackets preferably have fixing holes to enable direct mounting to the overnead supporting surface or alternatively to allow attachment of adaptors by which the brackets can ne clamped, for example, to rolled steel joists or roof purlins.

A preferred clamping means is a two part ring retained bv a cover or sleeve at the top of each vertical limb of the U-member, one part of the ring having an internal boss or projection which engages through an aperture in the respective limb to press against the suspension tube within sai@ limb and thus nold the tube in position by friction.

In order to avcid risk of the display unit frame, and any display unit carried thereby, falling from suspension tubes, as b Inadvertent loosening of both clamps at once, a safety cable, preferably of woven steel, is provided, connecting between the brackets at the top of the suspension tubes and the display unit frame. This safety cable may conveniently extend from one mounting bracket to the other via the interior of one suspension tube, the interior of the U-member and the interior of the other suspension tube.At each top bracket, a bolt atttaching the suspension tube to said bracket, such as the aforementioned attachment bolt which provides a pivotal connection, passes through an eyelet in the end cf the safety cable in order to anchor the latter with a high degree of security. The length of the safety cable is preferably such that it acts as a stop, limiting lowering of the display unit frame beyond a limit beyond which an unacceptably short length of either one suspension tube would r@main within the vertical limb of the U-member.

Subject to the aforesaid limit, the range, of neight adjustment may be for most of the neight of the U-member, the other limit being full reception of the suspension tubes Into the limbs or the U-member. In this connection, however, it is to be no ted that suspension tubes of unequal length may be provided t@ cater for steeply pitched roofs or ceilings.

Brief description of drawings The suspension device in accordance with the invention is exemplified in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a preferred embo@imert of the device with an electronic display unit mounted thereon; Figure 2 is a side view corresponding to Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view Or the device without the display unit; Figure 4 is a front elevational enlargement of part of the device; Figure 5 is a side elevation corresponding to ire 4; and Figure 6 is a cross-section on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Description of embodiment The illustrated suspension device comprises a frame 10 to which can be mounted a display unit 12. The frame 10 is generally square or rectangular, and comprises an invented U-member 14 bridged near the top by a crosspiece 16. Said frame 10 is made of tubular steel.

Two suspension tubes 18, preferably of plasti@@ coated steel, are slidable into the upper ends of the vertical limbe 20 of the U-member 14. Clamping devices 22 at th@ top of each limb 20 enable each tube 18 to be clamped in a chosen position of longitudinal adjustment with the corresponding limb 20. A preferred clamp 22 (see Figure 6 is a two-part ring 24 retained by a cover (Figure 3), one part of the ring 24 having an in@@@@@ally @@ised circular boss 28 which passes @@@@u@h an @@@@@@@e in the limb 20 in order to press against the suspension.

tube 18 inside and thus frictionally hold the tube and limb against sliding movement.

At the top of each suspension tube, the latter is attached to a mounting bracket generally referenced 30. The bracket 30, Provided with holes to enable its fixing to an overhead supporting surface 32 (see Figure 1) is elongate in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the display unit frame 1D, and the suspension tube 18 is at tao he theret@ by means of a welded cross-tube 34 through which passes an attachment bolt 36. The bolt 36 provides for tilting of the bracket in one plane, thereby to facilitate its mounting to an inclined overhead supporting surface, such as a pitched roof or ceiling, with the suspension tube 18 depending vertically.

A safety cable 38, anchored via an eyelet at each end @nd the attachment bolt 36, extende from one bracket to the other via the interiors of one suspension tube, the Umember and the other suspension tube.

As will be clear from Figures 1 to 3, the suspension device enables a display unit to be suspended in upright position from an overhead supporting surface w@ich may be horizontal or inclined, simply by differnetial adjustment of the U-member and respective suspension tubes.

Adjustment can also be made to select the height at w@@@@ the display unit is suspended be low the supporting surface. The & safety cable prevents danger cf t equipment falling from the suspension tubes if ei@@@@ @@ or both clamps are not sufficiently tigntened, @@@ @@@ also serve to restrict adjustment so that the fra@e is always positively located by a sufficient lo@@@@ @@ @@@ suspension tube. In the case of a steeply pitched r@@f.

the suspension tubes may be of unequal lengths.

Various modifications of the above-described embodiment are possible within the scope of the invention, especially in respect of the U-member/suspension tube clamps and the bracket means at the top of each suspension tube.

Claims

1. A suspension device for suspending a display unit or the like from an overhead supporting surface such as a roof interior comprising: a frame including an inverted Umember of tubular construction, the frame normally being orientated with the inverted U-member vertical for mounting of the display unit thereto in an upright position; two suspension tubes slidable vertically into the vertical limbs of the U-member through the uppermost ends of said limbs; mounting means at the top of each suspension tube for attachment of the suspension tubes to the overhead supporting surface; and clamping means by which each suspension tube can be clamped in a chosen position of adjustment relative to the limb of the Umember through which it is slidable.

2. A suspension device according to claim 1 wherein the frame includes a crosspiece bridging the U-member adjacent the top thereof for additional rigidity and assistance in mounting of a display unit thereto.

3. A suspension decice according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the frame and the tubes are formed of tubular steel, and the tubes are coated with a plastics material.

4. A suspension device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the mounting means at the top of each suspension tube comprises a bracket elongate in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the display unit frame.

5. A suspension device according to claim 4 wherein each suspension tube attaches to its top bracket via a pivotal mounting (eg, an attachment bolt) extending parallel to the length of the bracket.

6. A suspention device according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the top brackets incorporate means permitting pivotal adjustment in two planes at right angles, instead of just one plane.

7. A suspension device according to any of claims 4 to 6 wherein the top brackets, have fixing holes to enable direct mounting to the overhead supporting surface.

8. A suspension device according to any of claims 4 to 6 wherein the top brackets have fixing holes to allow attachment of adaptors by which the brackets can be clamped by clamping means (eg, to rolled steel joists or roof purlins).

9. A suspension device according to claim 8 wherein the clamping means comprises a two part ring retained by a cover or sleeve at the top of each vertical limb of the Umember, one part of the ring having an internal boss or projection which engages through an aperture in the respective limb to press against the suspension tube within said limb and thus hold the tube in position by friction.

10. A suspension device according to any one of claims 4 to 9 and further comprising a safety cable connecting between the brackets at the top of the suspension tubes and the display unit frame.

11. A suspension device according to claim 10 wherein the safety extends from one bracket to the other via the interior of one suspension tube, the interior of the Umember and the interior of the other suspension tube.

12. A suspension device according to claim 10 or 11 and further comprising a bolt attaching the suspension tube to each said top bracket and passing through an eyelet in the end of the safety cable in order to anchor the latter with a high degree of security.

13. A suspension device according to any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein the length of the safety cable is such that it acts as a stop, limiting lowering of the display unit frame beyond a limit beyond which an unacceptably short length of either one of the suspension tubes would remain within the respective vertical limb of the U-member.

14. A suspension device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the suspension tubes are of unequal length to cater for steeply pitched supporting surfaces (eg, roofs or ceilings).

15. A suspension device substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A suspension device for suspending a display unit or the like from an overhead supporting surface such as a roof interior comprising: a frame including an inverted U-member of tubular construction, the frame normally being orientated with the inverted U-member vertical for mounting of the display unit thereto in an upright position; two suspension tubes independently slidable vertically into the vertical limbs of the U-member through the uppermost ends of said limbs; mounting means at the top of each suspension tube for attachment of the suspension tubes to the overhead supporting surface; and clamping means by which each suspension tube can be clamped in a chosen position of adjustment relative to the limb of the U-member through which it is slidable, independently of the chosen position of adjustment of the other suspension tube.

9. A suspension device according to claim 8 wherein the clamping means comprises a two part ring retained by a cover or sleeve at the top of each vertical limb of the Umember, one part of the ring having an internal boss or projection which engages through an aperture in the respective limb to press against the suspens,ion tube within said limb and thus hold the tube in position by friction.

11. A suspension device according to claim 10 wherein the safety extends from one bracket to the other via the interior of one suspension tube, the interior of the U- member and the interior of the other suspension tube.