Cable management systems for product display

• US 7,909,641 B1
• Filed: 06/25/2010
• Issued: 03/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2009
• Status: Expired

• 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:
  US12/823,479
• Time in Patent Office: 270 Days
• Field of Search: 439/501, 439/534, 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 use in displaying one of a plurality of electronic devices in a commercial setting, comprising:

a cable assembly that provides an electrical coupling to a displayed electronic device, the cable assembly being extendable and retractable;

a mounting member for carrying the displayed electronic device, and wherein the cable assembly at least partially extends into and is electrically coupled to the mounting member, and further, the cable assembly is connected to the mounting member in a manner so as to facilitate extension and retraction movements of the cable assembly and mounting member for respectively lifting and replacing the mounting member to and from a retail display while the mounting member is coupled to the cable assembly; and

a swivel assembly that is in-line in the cable assembly for enabling at least a portion of the cable assembly to rotate while maintaining the electrical coupling to the displayed electronic device during extension and retraction movements of the cable assembly, in a manner so as to reduce torsional forces placed on the cable assembly during said extension and retraction movements.

2. The cable management system of claim 1, wherein the swivel assembly couples an end of the extendable and retractable cable assembly to the mounting member.

3. The cable management system of claim 1, wherein the extendable and retractable cable assembly has a first end connected to the mounting member and a second end connected to an upstream power supply, and wherein the swivel assembly couples the second end of the cable assembly to the upstream power supply.

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

a cable assembly that is extendable and retractable relative to a display surface, the cable assembly providing an electrical coupling to a displayed electronic device, with the cable assembly having a modular connector;

a mounting member head for carrying the displayed electronic device, the mounting member head having an internal portion shaped to receive a swivel assembly; and

a swivel assembly received within the mounting member head for electrically coupling the cable assembly to the mounting member head and the displayed electronic device via the modular connector, and when so connected, the swivel assembly being in-line relative to the cable assembly for enabling the mounting member head to rotate relative to the cable assembly while maintaining the electrical coupling to the displayed electronic device during extension and retraction movements of the cable assembly, in a manner so as to reduce torsional forces placed on the cable assembly during the extension and retraction movements.

5. The cable management system of claim 4, wherein the extendable and retractable cable assembly has a first end connected to the mounting member head and a second end connected to an upstream power supply.

6. The cable management system of claim 4, including a second cable assembly for electrically coupling the displayed electronic device to the extendible and retractable cable assembly.