US2983474A - Standard assembly for installing a lamp fixture - Google Patents

Description

STANDARD ASSEMBLY FOR INSTALLING A LAMP FIXTURE Filed Dec. 51, 1956 P. W. HAN NA May 9, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. PA u W. H A NNA Z DZW TTO I I l I STANDARD ASSEMBLY FOR INSTALLING A LAMP FIXTURE Filed Dec. 31, 1956 P. W. HANNA May 9, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. PA u L W. HA N NA kflaM/w ATTORNEY United States Patent STANDARD ASSEMBLY FOR INSTALLING A LAIVIP FIXTURE Paul W. Hanna, 905 Calumet, Valparaiso, Ind.

Filed Dec. 31, 1956, Ser. No. 631,656

6 Claims. (Cl. 248-161) The invention relates generally to jacks or vertically adjustable posts and more particularly is directed ,to a telescoping standard assembly which is primarily adapted to support a large fluorescent lamp fixture to facilitate installation or attachment thereof to a ceiling.

The standard assembly, although constructed primarily for the above use, may be employed wherever applicable. For example, it may be utilized to support and facilitate the application of various building materials, such as plywood, ceiling and wall panels, and beams.

The standard assembly has proven satisfactory in actual use and includes many unique principles of design and construction which offer advantages with respect to economy of manufacture and assembly, adjustability, durability and efllciency in operation.

More particularly, an important object of the invention is to provide an assembly comprising, among'other things, a base and a standard which are detachabl connected together in a novel manner to facilitate assembly thereof for use or disassembly for convenience in storage or shipment.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a base comprising a housing or frame, preferably formed by a pair of plates, and a plurality of legs having their inner ends secured between the plates in a manner whereby one leg is fixed and the others are pivotal so they may-be swung and locked in predetermined operative positions with respect to one another and the fixed leg to properly support the standard or to inoperative positions alongside the fixed leg to reduce the size of the base for convenience in transporting the base, or for storage or shipping. The base is preferably provided with an upstanding socket for detachably receiving the lower section of the standard.

A significant object of the invention is to provide a standard comprising a tubular lower outer section preferably of square or oblong cross-section, an intermediate tubular section, preferably round in cross-section, disposed in the outer section, and a center or upper tubular section, preferably square-in cross-section, disposed in the intermediate section. The outer section is preferably provided with a reel and a pulley and the intermediate section with pulleys adjacent its ends, and a flexible element, such as a cable, is attached to the reel and extends between the three sections, over the pulleys and is connected to the lower end of the center section in such a manner that manipulation of the reel in one direction will simultaneously cause the intermediate section to move outwardly from the outer section and the center section outwardly from the intermediate section. The reel is provided with a ratchet mechanism for automatically detaining the sections in their respective extended positions.

An important object of the invention is to provide unique means for preventing relative rotational movement between the sections and means for predetermining or limiting the extent of their outward telescoping or slidable movements. More specifically in this regard, an object is to provide a mounting clamp for the pulley on the outer section which serves to reenforce the upper end of this section and afiord a stop for limiting the extent of the outward movement of the intermediate section and also provide a mounting clamp for the pulley on the upper end of the intermediate section which serves to re enforce this end and afford a stop for limiting the extent of the outward movement of the center section.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved reel structure for the cable and means whereby the reel structure may be readily adjusted for height on for this pulley which serves to reenforce the lower end of the intermediate section.

Also, an object is to provide means on the lower end of the center section for connection with the cable, which assists in centering and stabilizing the position of the center section.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rack or frame having a shaft which is received in the upper open end of the center section for rotatably supporting the rack. A

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent after the description hereinafter set forth is considered in conjunction with the drawings annexed hereto which exemplify a preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

In the drawings:

Figure ,1 is a perspective view of the standard assembly comprising the base and standard above referred to;

Figure 2 is an enlarged partial vertical section, with portions broken away to illustrate various structural details;

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 2 showing the mode of mounting the lower pulley on the intermediate section and the relationship of the pulley axle with the outer section;

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 44 of Figure 2, depicting the manner of fastening the mounting for the pulley on the upper end of the outer section, and the disposition of the cable between the outer and intermediate sections;

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 55 of Figure 2 showing the manner of fastening the mounting for the pulley on the upper end of the intermediate section; 1

Figure 6 is a transverse section taken through the center section showing an abutment thereon for engaging the stop on the pulley mounting carried by the upper end of the intermediate section;

Figure 7 is a transverse section taken through the intermediate section showing an abutment thereon for engaging the stop on the pulley mounting carried by the outer section;

Figure 8 is a partial perspective View showing the reel structure;

Figure 9 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the reel structure showing means for leveling the cable thereon;

Figure 10 is a top. view of the base with portions of the legs thereof broken away to illustrate details of their. construction;

Figure 11 is an elevational view of the base as viewed from line 11--1'1 of Figure 10; and

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a rack or support ascents" 3 adapted for connection with the center section of the standard.

The base of the standard assembly may be designed and' constructed in various ways bu-t as' illustrated in the drawings; includes a housing or f ram'e comprising upper and lower triangular planar plates 1' and 2 and three legs 3, 4 and 5 having their inner extremities secured between the plates as clearly shown in Figures 1, l and 11. A king bolt 6 extends axially through the center of the plates with its head disposed above the upper plate and overlying a washer thereon and its threaded end carrying a wing nut below the lower plate for clamping the inner extremities of the legs between the plates. The leg 4 is preferably detachably secured in a fixed position against the underside of the up'per plate by a pair of bolts 7 extending through the upper plate andthe' leg with the heads of the bolts bearing against the underside of the leg and disposed in clearanceopenings 8 provided the lower plate to assist in preventing relative rotation between the plates. I i V The legs 3 and are preferably pivotall mounted between the plates by bolts and respectively extending through the upper plates and the legs with the heads of the bolts bearing against the legs and disposed in clearance openings provided in the lower plate. The nuts of the bolts 7, 9 and 18 bear against the upper surface of the upper plate. With this organization of components the legs 3, 4 and 5 can be clamped against the upper plate by the bolts 7, 9 and 1t] and between the plates by the king bolt 6. It will also be evident that the bolts 6, 9 and 10 constitute dual means which may be separately or jointly employed to frictionally resist to some extent the pivotal movement of the legs 3 and 5.

1 Locking means preferably in the form of a pair of elements 11 are respectively employed for locking the pivotal legs 3 and 5 in equally spaced apart relation to the fixed or stationary leg 4. Each element includes a shank 12 extending through aligned holes in the plates and an arched or offset upper extremity having a downturned end 13 which is adapted to extend through aligned holes 14 and 15 respectively provided in the upper plate and a leg for locking the legs against pivotal movement. A cotter pin 16 extends through the lower end of the shank of each element to detachably secure the element to the plates. The offset ends of the elements also serve as handles for convenience in manipulating the elements to look the legs in their full line standard supporting positions as shown in Figures 1, 10 and 11 or to unlock the legs 3 and 5 so they may be swung in parallel relation alongside the fixed leg 4 as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 10 in order to facilitate transportation of the base, storage or shipment.

The outer ends of the legs are preferably provided with casters to assist in moving the standard assembly about in use and the upper plate is provided with an upstanding member preferably in the form of a tubular socket 17, which is preferably anchored to the upper plate about the head of the king pin 6 by welding as indicated at 18 in Figures 10 and 11. This socket is preferably square in cross-section and of a height to receive, stabilize and hold the outer section of the standard assembly against rotation in the socket.

The standard of the assembly may be designed and constructed in various ways but as depicted herein, in cludes a lower outer section 19, preferably square in cross-section for reception in the socket 17 of the base, an intermediate section 20, preferably round in cross-section,slidable in the lower section, an upper or center section 2i, preferably square in cross-section slidable in the intermediate section, and a rack 22 having a shaft 23 pivotally mounted in the upper open end of the center section.

The outer section of thestandard is provided with a r e st u e -P ms e l d u s unt d a shaft 25, the latter being journalle'd on a pair of bracket members 26 having four bolts extending therethrough, as shown in Figure 8, in straddling relationship to the section for adjustably clamping the members to the section at any height desired below the upper end of the section. The drum is preferably provided with radial end flanges 27 and 28. The flange 27 is provided with a notch 29 and a tapered or flared recess 30 spaced from the notch to form an intermediate portion 31. This intermediate portion is provided with a hole 32 through which one end of a wire cable 33 extends so that a fastener 34 can be attached thereto for disposition in the notch to secure the cable to the drum and so that a surface of the flared recess will assist in causing the cable to level wind on the drum. The other flange 28 is preferably provided with ratchet teeth 35 for selective engagement with a gravity operated pivotally mounted pawl 36 for automatically locking the drum against accidental reverse ro ration as the drum is rotated to wind the cable thereon. Lifting of the pawl will release the drum for reverse roration to permit the intermediate and center sections to be lowered. A crank 37 is attached to the shaft of the drum for operating the drum.

A mounting is detachably secured to the upper end of the outer section 19 of the standard for supporting a pulley 38 having an axle 39 disposed in parallel relation to the shaft 25 of the drum. This mounting preferably includes a pair of generally V-shaped clamping members 4% and 41 for conforming to and reenforcing the upper end of the outer section. These members are provided with corresponding oifset cars 42 through which bolts 43 extend for firmly detachably securing the members to the section. Each member is also provided with a pair of inturned portions 44 which rest upon the upper end of the outer section and prevent downward movement of the members. One of the portions 44 also seives as a stop which may be engaged by an abutment &5 provided on the intermediate section, as evidenced in Figures 2 and 7, for limiting the extent of the outward telescoping movement of the intermediate section. The clamping member 49 is provided with an upstanding integral formation 46 having a partial peripheral flange 47 cooperating with the pulley 38 to retain the cable on the pulley and also a depending portion having a surface as which may assist in guiding the cable in one of the generally triangular spaces 49 formed by the difference in crosssectional characteristics of the outer and intermediate sections, as depicted in Figure 4. The upstanding formation 46 supports the pulley in a substantially tangential relationship to the intermediate section 2t) so as to guide the cable centrally in the space 49. Attention is directed to the fact that the abutment 45 on the intermediate section is of a size and shape for disposition in an adjacent similar space between the outer and intermediate sections and serves to prevent relative rotation between these particular sections. It should also be noted that the axle 39 for the pulley 38 is preferably made in the form of a screw.

The intermediate section 20 of the standard is provided with a mounting at its upper end for supporting a pulley 50 carried by an axle 51 disposed in parallel relation to the shaft and axle of the drum 24 and pulley 38. This mounting includes an annular collar 52 which surrounds and reenforces the upper end of the intermediate section and a radial inturned annular flange 53 which rests on the end of the section to prevent downward movement of the mounting on the section. A pair of diametrically disposed bolts 54 and 55 extend through the collar and intermediate section for detachably securing the mounting to the section. The bolts have heads disposed in opposed spaces 56 of four spaces formed between the intermediate and center sections as a result of the difference in their cross-sectional characteristics. The heads of these bolts assist in preventing relative re ion b t een. t ef s and n erme i sa ism and the head of the bolt 55 may also serve as a stop which may, be engaged by an abutment 57 provided on the center section 21 as depicted in Figures 2 and 6 for limiting the extent of the telescoping outward movement of the center section.

The mounting on the intermediate section also includes an upstanding formation or housing having a back wall 58 and an arch shaped flange 59. The back wall supports the axle for the pulley and the flange assists in retaining the cable on the pulley and in guiding the cable in one of the spaces 56, as shown in Figures 2 and 5. The mounting is further provided with a wheel or roller 60 adjacent the pulley for guiding the cable in one of the spaces 49 between the intermediate and outer sections.

The lower end of the intermediate section 20 is provided with a plug-like mounting 61 having a reduced cylindrical portion 62 which is secured in the section with a shoulder on the mounting engaging the end of the section. This mounting is provided with a bifurcation Within which a pulley 63 is journalled on an axle 64 which has ends projecting be'yond'the mounting for disposition in opposed spaces 49 between the outer and intermediate sections, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The projecting ends of the axle assist in preventing relative rotation between the intermediate and outer sections. Attention is directed to the fact that the mounting or flange 59 thereon and/ or the pulley may also assist in preventing relative rotation between the intermediate and outer sections, as depicted in Figure 5.

The lower end of the center section 21 of the standard is preferably provided with an aperture 65 through which the inner end of the cable extends, as illustrated in Figure 2. A connector 66 is attached to the end of the cable to form a loop which receives a cross member 67 extending transversely through the center section with its ends projecting laterally therefrom for disposition in opposed spaces 56 between the center and intermediate sections so they may assist in centering the center section in the intermediate section.

The cable 33 extends upwardly from the drum 24, over the pulley 38, downwardly mom of the spaces '49 between the outer and intermediate sections, about the pulley 63, and upwardly in an opposed space 49 between the sections as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, between the wheel 60 and pulley 50 and over the latter, and downwardly in a space 56 between the intermediate and center sections with its inner end attached to the cross member 67 on the center section, as shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, so that when the drum is rotated by the crank 37 the intermediate and center sections will be simultaneously telescoped at least during part of their travel outwardly with respect to one another and the outer section as shown in Figure 1. When the reel is first rotated in a cable winding direction, the intermediate and center sections are usually both raised and when the intermediate section approaches or reaches its uppermost position the center section begins to slide upwardly and outwardly from the intermediate section. When the pawl is manipulated to release the reel for rotation to unwind the cable the center section usually slides back into the intermediate section and as it approaches or reaches its lowermost position the intermediate section begins to descend therewith into the outer section.

The rack 22, above referred to, may be designed and constructed to support various items but as shown, includes a frame having a pair of corresponding bowed rods 68 secured intermediate their ends to the shaft. The outer ends of the rods are preferably tied together by a pair of bridge members 69 having upturned ends, all for supporting a relatively large fluorescent lamp fixture.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of the invention, and, therefore, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself 75 tions.

6 to theexact form, construction, arrangement, and conibination of parts herein shown and described.

I claim: 1. A standard assembly comprising a base and a standard having a tubular outer section attached to the base, a tubular intermediate section slidable in the outer section, a center section slidable in the intermediate seclimiting outward movement of the intermediate section, a reel attachedto the outer section at a location below the mounting assembly, mounting means attached to the upper end of the intermediate section and a pulley carried by this mounting means, said mounting means being cooperable with said center section and the abutment thereon for preventing relative rotation between the in.- termediate and center sections and limiting outward move ment of the center section, a mounting attached to the lower end of the intermediate section and a pulley carried by this mounting, a cable extending lengthwise between the sections, over the pulleys and having its ends respectively connected to the reel and lower extremity of the center section so that manipulating the reel in one direction will shorten the effective length of the cable and simultaneously raise the intermediate and center sections.

2. A standard assembly comprising a base and a standard having a tubular outer section attached to the base, a tubular intermediate section slidable in the outer section, a center section slidable in the intermediate section and provided with an abutment, a mounting assembly attached to-the upper end of the outer section, a pulley carried by the mounting assembly, a reel attached to the outer section at' a location below the mounting assembly, mounting means attached to the upper end of the intermediate section and a pulley carried by this mounting means, said mounting means being cooperable with said center section and the abutment thereon for preventing relative rotation between the intermediate and center sections and limiting outward movement of the center section, a mounting attached to the lower end of the intermediate section and a pulley carried by this mounting, a cable extending lengthwise between the sections, over the pulleys and having its ends respectively connected to the reel and lower extremity of the center section so that manipulating the reel in one direction will shorten the efiective length of the cable and simultaneously raise the intermediate and center sections.

3. A standard assembly comprising a base and a standard having a tubular outer section attached to the base, a tubular intermediate section slidable in the outer section, a center section slidable in the intermediate section and provided with an abutment, a mounting assembly attached to the upper end of the outer section, a pulley carried by the mounting assembly, means on the intermediate section cooperable with the outer section and the mounting assembly for preventing relative rotation 7 between the outer and intermediate sections and limiting outward movement of the intermediate section, a reel attached to the outer section at a location below the mounting assembly, mounting means attached to the upper end of the intermediate section and a pulley carried by this mounting means, a mounting attached to the lower end of the intermediate section and a pulley carried by this mounting, a cable extending lengthwise between the sections, over the pulleys and having its ends respectively connected to the reel and lower extremity of the center section so that manipulating the reel in one direction will shorten the effective length of the cable and simultaneously raise the intermediate and center sec- 4. A standard assembly comprising a base ,andastandard having a tubular outer sectionattached to the'base, a tubularintermediate ,seqt Onslidableliu ,the outer section, a center sectionslidable in theinte'rmediate section and provided with an abutment, a mounting assembly attached to the upper ,end of the outer section, a pulley carried by the mounting assembly, means on the intermediate section cooperable with the mounting assembly for limiting outward movement of the intermediate section, a reel attached to the outer section at a location below the mounting assembly, mountingmeans attached to the upper end of the intermediate section and a pulley carried by this mounting means, said mounting means being cooperable with the abutment on the center section for limiting outward movement of the center section, a mounting attached to the lower end of the intermediate section and a pulley carried by this mounting, a cable extending lengthwise between the sections, over the pulleys and having its ends respectively connected to the reel and lower extremity of the center section so that manipulating the reel in one direction will shorten the 'eflective length of the cable and simultaneously raise the intermediate and center sections.

5. A standard for use with a base, said standard comprising a tubular outer section, substantially square in cross-section, a pulley mounted adjacent the upper end of the outer section and a reel attached to the outer section below the pulley, a tubular intermediate section, substantially circular in cross-section, slidable in the outer section, pulleys respectively mounted at the upper and lower ends of the intermediate section, a tubular center section, substantially square in cross-section, slidable in the intermediate section, a cabletconnected to the reel and mounted on the pulley carried by the outer section and having a length extending downwardly between the outer and intermediate sections and mounted on the pulley at the lower end of the intermediate section, a length extending upwardly between the outer and intermediate sections and mounted on the pulley carried by the upper end of the intermediate section and a' length extending downwardlybetweeuthe intermediate and center sections and having its inner end connectedto thecenter sectipn so that manipulation of the reel will' 'siniultaneouslylra se prising a tubular outer section, substantially square in cross-section, a stop provided on the outer section, areel attached to the outer section below the stop, a tubular intermediate section, substantially circular in cross-section, slidable in the outer section, pulleys respectively mounted at the upper andlower ends of the intermediate section, a tubular center section, substantially square in cross-section, slidable in the intermediate section, means on the intermediate section cooperable with the outer section and the stop forpreventing relative rotationbetween the intermediate and outer sections and limiting outward movement of the intermediate section, a cable connected to the reel and havinga length extending downwardly between the outer and intermediate sections and mounted on the pulley at the lower end of the intermediate section, a length extending upwardly between the outer and intermediate sections and mounted on the pulley carried by the upper end of the intermediate section and a length extending downwardly between the intermediate and center sections and having its inner end connected to the center section so that manipulation of the reel will simultaneously raise the intermediate and center sections with respect .to one another and the outer section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 165,038 Spencer June 29, 1875 838,891 Olney Dec. 18, 1906 963,237 Milton July 5, 1910 1,657,179 Reinsperg Jan. 24, 1928 1,708,761. Horbath Apr. 9, 1929 1,863,756 Lnfkin June 21, 1932 2,484,982 Coutant Oct. 18, 1949 2,634,075 Mayzel e Apr. 7, 1953

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