US1418215A - Electric-fixture-display device - Google Patents

Description

- C. K. THEOBALD.

515cm 1 XTURE LAY osvme.

. APPL ON FILE .12,19Z1.

- Patented May 9221 3 SHEETS- 1.

C. K. THEOBALD.

ELECTRIC FIXTURE DISPLAY DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 12. 1921.

Patented May 30, 1922..

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

."fhenbald 1 Charles K I W m C. K. THEOBALD- ELECTRIC FIXTURE DISPLAY DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED on. 12. 1921.

1,418,215. ted M y 30, 19221.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- Svmmwtm Charles -Thenhald artistic effect is also destroyed; I

It is with the ahove facts in view that I rras CHARLES K. TnEoBA-Lnor rolvnsnono, ARKANSAS.

ELECTRIC-FIXTURE-DI$PI1AY DEVICE.

To all 10 fi o m it may condemn v c v m 7 Be t known that l, cinxanns ls. lHEonALD, a citizen of the United States, res1d1ng at Jonesboro, in the-county of-Criaighead and State of Arkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inElectricli ixtureDisplay';Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. This invention relates to display devices and has for its object the provision of mechanism for use in the showroom of electric fixture dealers whereby fixtures'may be successively displayedv in an attractive manner.

Ordinarily fixtures on display in the exhibition rooms or stores of dealers ofthis character are suspended from the ceiling in great profusionand when a prospective pur chaser desires to inspect the different fixtures the. large number of them frequently causes confusion. especially, as it is impossible to view one particular fixture by itself. The

have designed the present invention which contemplates the provision of means whereby selected fixtures may be successively lowered through a hole in a false ceiling built into the display room so that only one fixture will be seen at a time and so the entire artistic effect maybe had and the article be displayed in a pleasing and attractive manner. More specifically the invention resides in the provision of a rotatable sup-port carrying a series of arms from which the different fixtures are suspended 'abovejthe false ceiling, the construction being such that any one 'xture may be brought into registration with a hole in the false ceiling and lowered therethrough. v

i-another object is the provision of a novel locking device associated with the fixture carrying arms" whereby to'hold them at the proper posit-ion with the fixture in exact registration with the hole, this locking means acting automatically and'being manually releasable when it is'desired to display a different fixture. I i

A further object isthe provision of guide means whereby not only to insure the proper centeringof the fixture with respect to the hole in the sub-ceiling but also to insureproper descent of the fixture through the hole without permitting any twisting or turning.

v sition Specification of Letters Patent. Patent d pl 30 1922 Application filed October 12. -1921.- SerialNo. 507,319.

Stillanother object is the provision of an toinatic means whereby the fixture will be lighted when it reaches its display position,

.the'lights beingextinguished when the fixture is subsequently raised out of the hole,

this lighting means involving the provision of aplurality of suitably connected elecgizing anordinary ceiling light in the disk I play room when thelights of the fixture displayed are extinguished. A still further objectis the provision 0 indicating means associated with the rotary sup-port whereby the operator will know definitely in advance exactly which fixture is being lowered. c

An additional object is the provision of mechanism of this character which will be comparatively'simple in construction, easy to install, highly efficient in use, attractive in effect and a general improvement in the art.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view,-the invention consists in the detailsjofconstructlon to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

mechanism; 7

Figure 2 1s a vertical sectional view through the room showing my device 111 pc- ;Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view looking upwardly toward the true ceiling and illustrating my locking device;

V Figure f is a detail perspective view showing the guide means for controlling the descentof the fixtures; v

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view through the false ceilingand showing the electrical contacts and a diagram of the circuit; and

Figures 6 and 8 are detail'views.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, I have shown, in Figure 1, a possible and convenient arrangement of a display room. In this-figure I have illustrated the display room A as sub-divided into a plu r'ality of small rooms 13 which may be,if

preferred, furnished in different ways, for

instance torepresent a dining room, bed room, music 'room and living room so that ,when fixtures, aredisplayed 1n any ofthe;

tion as to such an arrangement.

including suitable joists 11 covered by a sheathing 12. At whatever po'int itis desired to display fixtures this false ceiling "would be provided with a circular hole '13 preferably"surrounded by a more or less ornamental molding 14. j

In the further carrying out of the invention 1 provide an upright post 15 which is located at "some convenient point in the display room and which is provided at its upper-and lower ends with pivot points operating within suitable bearings 16 located upon the true ceiling C and upon the floor D; It is of course under'stood that the lower hearing be either ofthe ball or roller type sothatthe' weight of the post and mechanismcarried thereby will be materially supported while at the samegtime the post maybe easily rotated. Secured upon the upper portion of the pest, 'that is above the false ceiling '10, is a' 'series of radial arms 17 of any prefer-red construction and of any suitable length and these arms are preferably reinforced by braces 18. The arms inust'of course-he of such length'that they will reach from the post to a point immediately above-the "hole 13 in the sub-ceiling. In Figure l I have shown the post as located centrally er the four small rooms each of which has its sub-ceiling; provided with hole throi'rg h which fixtures may be displayed will" be hereinafter described.

Mounted upon the free ends "of thear'ms 17 I are pulleys 19 over which are trained flexible members 20 which may be small eables, ropes, wires or the like and these flexible members lead downwardly along the post to points near the lower end thereof, the extremities of the flexible members carryin rin 's- 22' engaged upon suitable hooks 23 projecting from the periphery of th'e post.

The other 'endsof the flexible members carry the fixtures to be displayed, one of such fixtures being shown at E. It is preferable'that the post have inscribed thereon a series of numbers adjacent the flexible membersextending there along and it may also be ad visable toprovide a ring or disk 24 secured upon the post immediately below'the hooks 23, thisdisk being; likewise inscribed with numbers corresponding to those first mentioned so that the operator'may tel l at a glance which particular fixture asso'eiat-ed with each individual flexible member. 'It

being intermediate their ends. "to be understood that I might make use of er the pest.

should also be mentioned that the post is preferably provided with-a series of handles 25 by .means of which it may be turned to bring the diiferent fixtures successively above the hole 13. j

The suspension means for each fixture conthe like of a size to pass through the hole 13 and be retained-upon the molding 14. This disk is of course secured to both the fixture and the associated flexible member. It ispreferable to provide a plurality of upwardly andoutwardly curved guides 27 which are located at the edge'of the hol'ef13 and which are engaged by the disk '26 when a fixture is lowered so that the disk will be properly led into the hole 13. It is of course "to be observed that thefixture is lowered simply by unhooking the ri'ng122 of the associated flexible member from the hook 23 and allowing the fixture to descend by gravity. It is held desirable to provide means for sists of a circular disk 26 ofwall board or holding the arms '17 stationary with the fix "ture desired to be displayed immediately above the hole 18 and in exact-alignment therewith. "Inorder; to accomplish this I provide a pair of elongated bars 28 pivoted upon the ceiling C at such'a position that their adjacent ends willb'e disposed above thehole 13. The. adjacent ends are spaced very slightly apart and are designed to receive between them whichever arm 17 car ries the fixture to be immediately displayed. These bars have curved edges 29 leading to. the space between their adj aeent'ends so that they will swing upon their pivot points when initially engaged by an arm 17 and allow the arm to slip into the space between the ends. It is ofcourse conceivable that these bars might be, pivoted in different ways though I have shown thepivot points30 as It is also normally holding thebars'in one position though in actual practice I prefer "to provide flexible members '31 connected.

with the'fre'e ends of the barsr'trained ever made "pulleys 32 carrying-weights "When an arm 17 is engaged between the bars 29 it is apparent that -the fixture will be iodated in the exact proper position above the 1101813; V

'In order to release thislocking' mecha nism to permit turn' .1: of the post for dis playing successive fixtnre's; I-make use of a flexible member 34 which is trained over suitable guide pulleys and which has one end branched, as indicated at 36 and connected with both ofthe bars 29 at the adjacent ends thereof. This flexible member is trained down alongside the post 10 and has it's lower end connected witha treadle 27 mounted upon the "floor adjacent the team When the operator presses upon the treadle 37 both of the bars-f 29' will engageable with a contact 564 with the-blade 55 and with the base 53 is be swung out of engagement with the handle 17 so as to permit the post to be turned. As soon as pressure upon the treadle is released the weights 33 will return the bars 29 to normal position so that they will automatically engage the next arm 17 as it comes around.

- l/Vhen a fixtureis lowered it is desirable to provide some means for preventing it "from turning or twisting and to accomplish this I provide a board 38 secured in edgewise position transversely of the disk 26 with its ends projecting slightly beyond the disk and shod with copper strips 39 for a purpose to be described. Secured to this board 38 is a transversely disposed board 40 which has one end carrying an arm 41 engageable between spaced upright guides 42 secured upon the sub-ceiling. The upper ends of these guides are provided with diverging strips 43 which define a flaring 'entrance opening to the space between the guides so as to lead the arm 41 properly into position as the fixture is lowered. It may be advisable to provide anti-friction rollers 44 on the arm 41 for the purpose of insuring free and easy movement. Hinged upon the board38 is a board 45 which is formed with an elongated slot 46 engaging upon a bar 47 depending from the arm 17. Located within the slot 46 is a roller 48 engaging against an edge of the bar 47 for insuring free and easy movement.

I consider it preferable to provide means for automatically energizing the electric points at the edge of the hole 13 and insulated from the wood work by means of suitable slate bases 50. These contacts 49 are so located as to be engaged by the copper strips 39 on the ends of the board 38. Connected with the copper strips are wires 51 and 52 which lead through the fixtures to the sock ets thereof in the usual manner. In conjunction with these contacts I employ switch including a base 53 ofinsulating material mounted near one of the contacts 49 and rising from this base 53 is a post 54 upon which is pivoted a switch blade 55 Connected a retractile coil spring '57 which normally holds the switch blade 55 in engagement with the contact 56. The blade 55 is provided with an extension 58 which extends within the adjacent contact 49 whereby to be en gaged by the copper strip 39 at one end of the board 38. The numeral 59 designates an ordinary incandescent lamp of theceiling type which is located at some convenient point within the display room. The numer- 63 which is connected with one of the con tacts 49, I

The operation of the device is'as follows: Initially all the fixtures are of course sus pended from the arms 17 between the subceiling 10 and the true ceiling C. Assuming that a certain fixture is to be displayed, the operator grasps one or more of the arms 25 and turns the post 15 to. bring the arm 12' carrying the desired fixture immediately above the hole 13. This is determined by means of the numbers on the disk 24, it be ing of course apparent that the pointer arm 24" cooperates with marks on this disk or ring so that this point may be properly de termined. As previously stated, the arm 1? thus-brought over the hole 13 will between the adjacent ends of the locking bars 29*and be held thereby in the exact position it should occupy. The operator then grasps the copper ring22 and unhooks it 'from the hook. andallows the-fixture associated therewith to descend. As the fix;

ture moves downwardly the arm 41 will pass between the outwardly curved strips 43and be guided thereby into the space between the guides 42, while at the same time the slotted board 45 willf-slide down along the bar 47 depending from the associated arm 17. This will prevent any turning or twisting of the fixture while it isbeing lowered.

As the fixture'nears its loweredpositionthe disk 26 will engage the curved guide strips 27 and be led into the hole 13 so that it may.

rest upon the molding 14. At the same time the copper strips 39 at the end of the board 38 will enter the if-shaped contacts 4:9,one copper strip engaging-the extension 58, one contact 49, through the wire 51 and the lamps in the fixture back through the wire 52 and the other contact 49 and thence that the fixture previously displayed should be pulled up into its initial position by simply pulling down upon the associatedfiexible m'ember and hooking the ring thereon on to the hook 23 from which'it had previously been removed. After the locking meanshas This will; of course result in been released by the treadle mechanism the operator may turn the post 15 to bring any other cesired fixture directly over the hole 13 whereupon this other fixture may be lowered in the same manner previously described. After the fixture has been displayed and is moved upwardly it will be apparent that the coil spring 57 will operate to swing the blade so that the extension 58 will be out of engagement with the asso ciated contact 4-9 and so that the blades 55 will engage the contact 56. hen this occurs it is of course apparent that the lamps in the fixture will be deenergized while current will then flow from the wire 60 to the post 54, blade 55, contact 56, wire 62, through the lamp 59 and back through the wire 61 so that the ceiling light will be energized. This action is of course automatic and needs vno attention.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it will be apparent that I have thus provided a simply constructed and arranged mechanism whereby electric lighting fixtures may be adequately displayed so that the entire effect and artistic beauty thereof may be appreciated fully. Owing to the automatic illumination of the fixture when it is lowered to display posi-' tion it will be apparent that every detail of coloring of shades, translucent bowls and in fact everything of this nature may be seen clearly and in a manner whichshould appeal to the prospective purchaser.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is of course to be readily understood that I reserve the right to make such changes in the form, construction and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus describedmyinvention, I claim: I i

1. A display device comprlsing the combination of a false ceiling having a hole therein, of an upright rotatable post carrying a series of arms located above the false ceiling, flexible members trained over pulleys on the arms and being detachably secured at the lower end of the post, said flexible members carrying fixtures to be displayed, said post being rotatable to bring a selected arm and fixture above the hole whereby the fixture may be subsequently lowered by means of the associated flexible member.

' 2Q A-display device comprising the combination ofa false ceiling having a hole therein, of an upright rotatable post carrying a series of arms located above the false ceiling, flexible members trained over pulleys on the arms and being detachably secured at the lower end of the post, said flexible members carrying fixtures to be :dis-

played, said post being rotatable to bring a selected arm and fixture above the hole whereby the fixture maybe subsequently lowered by means of the associated flexible member, the fixtures having sockets carryi ngincandescent bulbs, and means for automatically energizing said bulbs when a fixture is in lowered position.

A display device comprising the com .bination of a false ceiling having a hole ing incandescent bulbs, means for automat ically energizing said bulbs when a fixture is in lowered posltlon, said means compr1smg contacts located ad acent the hole and connected with a sourc'eof current, and a v transverse member associated with the fix ture and carrying contacts engageable with said first named contacts and connected with the incandescent bulbs.

1. A displaydevice comprising the-combination of a false ceiling having a hole therein, of an upright rotatable post carrying a series of arms located above the false ceiling, flexible members trained over pu'l-, leys on the arms and being detachably secured at the lower portion of the post, said flexible members carrying fixtures'to be displayed, said post being rotatable to bring a selected arm and fixture above the hole .whereby the fixture may be subsequently lowered by means of the associated flexible member, and guide means associated with each arm whereby to prevent turning of the fixture during descent.

, 5. A display device comprising thecombination of a -false ceiling having a. hole therein, of an upright rotatable post carrying a series of arms located above the false ceiling, flexible members trained over pulleys on the arms and being detachably secured at the lower portion of the post, said flexible members carrying fixtures to be dis played, said post being rotatable to bring a selected arm and'fixture above the hole whereby the fixture may be subsequently lowered by means of theassociated flexible member, a disk associated with each fixture at the point ofconnection thereof with the flexible member, a-transverse member carried by the disk and having a guide arm, and a pair of spaced upright guides located adjacent the hole and receiving said arm between them.

6. A display device comprising the combi-nationof a false ceiling having a hole therein, of anupright rotatable post carry mg a series of arms located above the false ceiling, flexible members trained over pulleys on the arms and-being detachablysecuredat the lower portion of the 1 Said flexible members carrying fixtures to be displayed, said post being rotatable to bring a selected arm and fixture above the hole whereby the flxture may be subsequently lowered by means of the associated flexible member, a dis]: associated with each fixture at the point of connection thereof with the flexible member, atransverse member carried by the dislr and having a guide arm, a pair of spaced upright guides located adjacent the hole and receiving said arm between them, a -second. transverse member carried by the disk, a slotted member hinged upon said second named transverse memher, and a bar depending from the associated arm and engaged by said slotted member. I v

7. A display device of the character described comprising the combination ofa false ceiling located within a display room and having a hole, an upright post mounted for rotation and extending above said false ceiling, a plurality of radial arms projecting from the post above the false ceiling, pulleys on said arms, a flexible member trained over each set of pulleys and extending downwardly along the post, the fixture to be displayed being suspended from the flexible members at the "ends of the arms, means carried by the post and detachably engaged by the other ends of the flexible members for holding said fixture normally elevated and a locking device automatically engaging the successive arms when the post is rotated for centering the fixtures above the hole.

8. A display device of the character described comprising the combination of a false ceiling located within a display room and having a hole, an upright post mounted for-rotation and extending above said false ceiling, a plurality of radial arms projecting from the post above the false ceiling, pulleys on said arms, a flexible member trained over each set of pulleys and extending downwardly along the post, the fixtureto be displayed being suspended from the flexible members at the ends of the arms, means carried by the post and detachably engaged by the other ends of the flexible members for holding said fixture normally elevated, a locking device automatically engaging the successive .arms when the post is rotated for centering the fixtures above the hole, and treadle operated means for releasing said locking device.

9. A display device of the character 'de scribed comprising the combination of a false ceiling located within a display room ing from the post above the false ceiling,"

pulleys on said arms, a flexible member trained over each set ofpulleys and ex" tending downwardly along the post, the fixture to be displayed being suspended from the flexible members at the ends of the arms, 1

means carried by the post and detachably engaged by the other ends of the flexible members for holding said fixture normally elevated, a locking device automatically en gaging the successive arms when the post is rotated for centering the fixtures above the hole, said locking device comprising a pair of bars pivoted for swinging movement and having curved edges engageable by the successive arms, and means for'moving said bars out .of engagement with'an arm.

10. A display device of the character described comprising, the combination of a false ceiling located within a display room and having a hole, an upright post mounted for rotation and extending above said false ceiling, a plurality of radial arms. projecting from the post above the false ceiling, pulleys 011 said arms, a flexible member trained over each set of pulleys and extending downwardly along the post, theflxture to be displayed being suspended from the flexible members at the ends of the arms, means carried by the post and detachably engaged by the other ends of the flexible members for holding said fixture normally elevated, a locking device automatically engagingthe successive arms when the post is rotated for centering the fixtures above the hole, said locking device comprising a pair of bars pivoted for swinging movement and hav ing curved edges engageable by the successive arms, means for moving said bars out of engagement with an arm comprising a branched flexible member connected with both bars, trained over guide pulleys and extending down along the post, and means for applying a pull to said last named flexible member.

11. A display device for electric fixtures comprising in combination a false ceiling formed with a hole, an upright post carrying radial arms above the false ceiling, said arms carrying electric fixtures to be displayed, said post being rotatable to bring the fixtures successively above the hole, and pielans for lowering the fixture through the 10 e.

12. A display device for electric flxtures comprising in combination a false ceiling formed with a hole, an upright post carrying radial arms above the false ceiling, said arms carrying electric fixtures to be displayed, said post being rotatable to bring the fixtures successively above they hole, means for lowering the fixture through the '13. A display device for electric fixtures comprising in combination a false ceiling formed with a hole, an upright post carrying radial arms, above the false ceiling, said arms carrying electric fixtures to be dis- J played, said post being rotatable to bring the fixtures successively above the hole, means for lowering the fixture through the hole, a disk associated withthe suspenslon means of each fixture and designed to enter andclose the hole when the fixture is lowered, anda plurality of curved upstanding guides located at the edge of the hole for centering said disk.

14. A display device for electric fixtures comprising in combination a false ceiling formed. with a hole, an upright post carrying radial arms above the false ceiling,

displayed, said post being rotatable toibring the fixtures successively, above the hole,

hole, each fixture having sockets carrying incandescent bulbs, an independent incandescent lamp arranged at a remote point, contacts arranged at the edges of said hole, other contacts associated with each fixture and connected with the bulb carrying sockets thereof, a switch device having a movable .blade provided with an extension engagable by one of vsaid last named contacts to be moved thereby, into engagement with the associated first nainedcontact, said first named contacts and said switch being interposed in a circuit including'a source of current and said independent lamp.

In :testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

CHARLES, THEOBALD i said arms carrying electric fixtures; to be. i

:25 means for lowering the fixtures through the 1

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