Concealed retractable housings

• US 4,941,718 A
• Filed: 03/21/1988
• Issued: 07/17/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alexander Machinery, Inc. (Alexco Acquisition Company, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Alexander Machinery, Inc. (Alexco Acquisition Company, LLC)
• Inventors: Alexander, William J. III, Chapman, Fred A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Peter R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Green, Brian K.
• Application Number:
  US07/171,038
• Time in Patent Office: 848 Days
• Field of Search: 312/21, 312/204, 312/242, 312/247, 312/269, 312/312, 312/27, 224/42.41, 224/310, 224/311, 224/327, 296/37.7, 296/37.8, 49/356, 16/66, 108/44, 108/45, 248/280.1, 248/281.1, 248/421
• US Class Current: 312/312
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 88/80 Concealed drawers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0077 using adhesive means, e.g. hook and loop fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0092 with motorization
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/00 Safes or strong-rooms for valuables savings boxes A45C1/12; floatable safes B63C7/30; storage containers without attack or fire-retardant features B65D; bank buildings in general, e.g. modular construction or floor plan, E04H1/06; buildings resistant to earthquakes or war action E04H9/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/20 for furniture, e.g. cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93273 on the top of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/027 Constructional details of housings, e.g. form, type, material or ruggedness

Abstract

The drawings illustrate an apparatus for housing articles between a ceiling and a roof, utilizing a switch means for actuating suitable electrically operated pivoting means for retracting the apparatus into the ceiling and lowering it from the ceiling.

Claims

1. Apparatus for concealing an article between a ceiling and a roof comprising:

a frame between the ceiling and the roof;

a lower support for said article;

pivotal means pivotally mounted to said frame and said lower support carrying said support for movement from a retracted position within said frame between the roof and ceiling to a position below the ceiling;

said pivotal means including means for lowering and swinging forward said lower support;

electrically operated means operating said pivotal means for movement of said support from said retracted position to said position below the ceiling and for returning said support to said retracted position;

said means pivotal means including for maintaining said lower support level during movement; and

switch means actuating said electrically operated means;

whereby said position below the ceiling is below and in front of said retracted position.

2. Apparatus for concealing an article between a ceiling and a roof comprising:

a frame between the ceiling and the roof;

a lower support for said article;

pivotal means pivotally mounted to said frame and said lower support carrying said support for movement from a retracted position within said frame between the roof and ceiling to a position below the ceiling wherein said pivotal means includes means for lowering and swinging forward said lower support;

whereby said position below the ceiling is below and in front of said retracted position;

electrically operated means including a retraction means operating said pivotal means for movement of said support from said retracted position to said position below the ceiling and for returning said support to said retracted position; and

said means pivotal means including for maintaining said lower support level during movement;

whereby said article may be readily concealed from view above said ceiling and readily returned to view below said ceiling.

3. The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein said retraction means is a pressurized cylinder.

4. The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein said retraction means is a spool operator with a cord.