Retractable Hanging Apparatus

Abstract

A retractable hanging apparatus that includes an engagement structure, such as a bar, upon which an article is hung or secured, with the engagement structure being suspended by one or more lines that are attached to a roller assembly rotatably mounted between two brackets. The roller assembly may be mounted to brackets alone or disposed inside a housing structure. The line or lines are secured to a roller assembly so that the article may be lowered to a particular height or may be elevated as desired. A braking system for preventing sudden retraction of the lines also is described.

1 . A retractable hanging apparatus, comprising: 
 a pair of mounting bracket means,    a roller assembly mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis on said pair of mounting bracket means and a means for rotating said roller assembly,    at least one line connected at a first end in spooling arrangement with said roller assembly; and    an engagement means disposed at a second end of said at least one line, wherein said engagement means is adapted to releaseably engage an article while maintaining said article free from contact with any other structural component of said apparatus.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said means for rotating comprises a rotary motor coupled with said roller assembly and being adapted for rotation of the roller assembly about a longitudinal axis on said pair of mounting bracket means.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said means for rotating comprises a spring-biased roller assembly disposed within said roller assembly and mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis on said pair of mounting bracket means.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said engagement means is selected from the group consisting of a clamp, hanger, hoop, bar, or bag.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said mounting bracket means are disposed within a housing that at least partially conceals the roller assembly.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said at least one line extends through an aperture in said housing.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein alignment pads are disposed in contact with said at least one line.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein alignment pads are disposed in contact with said at least one line.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said housing further includes cushions disposed thereon such that said engagement means is contacted while in a fully retracted position.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said roller assembly further includes a brake on an outer surface of a pin flange, the brake comprising: 
 an arm having one or more protrusions at a first end and a hole at a second end, wherein said arm is pivotally attached to said outer surface at the hole and is held in an unengaged position by a magnet; and    a surface disposed upon a bracket means, wherein centrifugal force swings the arm free of the magnet such that the protrusions frictionally engage the surface, thereby braking radial acceleration of the roller assembly.    
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said surface is compliant plastic or rubber.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said roller assembly further includes an area of varying radius in spooling arrangement with said at least one line such that changing spring tension is at least partially offset thereby.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said area of varying radius comprises a conical area having a thread or groove disposed thereupon to engage said at least one line in contact therewith.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said means for engagement comprises an adjustable tension hanging bar having a rotatable inner rod nested within a hollow outer rod, said inner rod further having at least one groove within which said at least one line is disposed in spooling arrangement therewith, and a locking mechanism that prevents rotation of the inner rod in a locked position and allows for rotation of the inner rod in an unlocked position.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said means for engagement comprises an adjustable tension hanging rod having an opening through which said at least one line passes, and at least one spool disposed within said hanging bar upon which at least one line is wound.