Cable management system for product display

• US 7,744,404 B1
• Filed: 11/03/2009
• Issued: 06/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mobile Tech, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Merchandising Technologies Incorporated (Mobile Tech, Inc.)
• Inventors: Niderost, Donald, Peacock, James Larry, Henson, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): TA, THO DAC
• Application Number:
  US12/611,432
• Time in Patent Office: 238 Days
• Field of Search: 439/534, 439/501, 439/131, 439/535, 439527-529
• US Class Current: 439/501
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/72 Means for accommodating flexible lead within the holder
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/006 using extensible carrier for the cable, e.g. self-coiling spring extensible conductors or cables H01B7/06
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0462 Tubings, i.e. having a closed section

Abstract

A cable retraction mechanism for displaying merchandise mounted on a display post in a retail location. The cable retraction mechanism includes a cable assembly having a coiled or equivalent elastically stretchable section. The mechanism also includes a coaxial housing that is connected to a portion of the cable assembly. The reciprocating motion or action of the shuttle within the housing facilitates extension and retraction of the cable assembly in a manner that is independent of the coiled section.

Claims

1. A cable management system for displaying one of a plurality of electronic devices in a commercial setting, comprising:

a first cable assembly having an elastically stretchable length;

a housing;

a moveable shuttle portion carried by the housing, wherein the shuttle portion is connected to a portion of the cable assembly in a manner so that movements of the shuttle portion facilitate extension and retraction movements of the cable assembly independent of the elastically stretchable length;

a mounting member on which an electronic device may be mounted, the mounting member being connected to the first cable assembly;

a second cable assembly, electrically coupled to the first cable assembly, the second cable assembly also being adapted for electrical coupling to the electronic device.

2. The system of claim 1, including a swivel assembly that is operatively connected to the first cable assembly, for enabling one portion of the first cable assembly to rotate relative to another portion while maintaining an electrically conductive path between two cable assembly portions.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the swivel assembly is received within the housing.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the swivel assembly is received within the mounting member.

5. A cable retraction mechanism for use in displaying one of a plurality of electronic devices in a commercial setting, comprising:

a cable assembly having an elastically stretchable length; and

a housing that is connected to a portion of the cable assembly, the housing carrying a spring, connected to the cable assembly in a manner so as to facilitate extension and retraction movements of the cable assembly independent of the elastically stretchable length; and

wherein

the cable assembly is electrically coupled to an electronic device.

6. The system of claim 5, including a swivel assembly that is in-line in the first cable assembly, for enabling one portion of the first cable assembly to rotate relative to a second portion while maintaining an electrically conductive path between the two cable assembly portions.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the swivel assembly is received within the housing.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the swivel assembly is received within the mounting member.

9. A cable management system for displaying one of a plurality of electronic devices in a commercial setting, comprising:

a first cable assembly having an elastically stretchable length;

a spring that is connected to a portion of the first cable assembly, wherein the spring facilitates extension and retraction movements of the first cable assembly independent of the elastically stretchable length;

a mounting member on which an electronic device may be mounted, the mounting member being connected to the first cable assembly; and

a second cable assembly, electrically coupled to the first cable assembly, the second cable assembly also being adapted for electrical coupling to the electronic device.

10. The system of claim 9, including a swivel assembly that is in-line in the first cable assembly, for enabling one portion of the first cable assembly to rotate relative to a second portion while maintaining an electrically conductive path between the two cable assembly portions.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the swivel assembly is received within the first cable assembly includes a swivel assembly.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the swivel assembly is received within the mounting member.