Rug Display System

Abstract

A rug display system for efficiently displaying rugs. The rug display system includes a frame having a plurality of vertical members, a plurality of support members extending between the vertical members, a plurality of elongated members movably positioned upon the vertical members, and at least one first motor connected to the elongated members for moving the elongated members for lifting one of the support member. The plurality of support members are selectively engageable with the elongated members to lift an upper support member upwardly. The support members each support at least one rug to be displayed. A plurality of belts are movably positioned upon the vertical members along with at least one second motor connected to the belts for lowering the raised support members.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention with all of the rugs in the lowered position.

FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of the present invention illustrating a rug being lifted to the raised position.

FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the present invention illustrating rugs returning to lowered position.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the left front corner of the frame with all of the rugs in the lowered position.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a left front corner of the frame illustrating a rug being lifted to the raised position.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the left front corner of the frame illustrating rugs returning to lowered position.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the upper left front corner of the frame with several rugs in raised position.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the upper left front corner of the frame illustrating rugs being lowered.

FIG. 9 a is a top view of the front right corner of the frame with rugs.

FIG. 9 b is a top view of the rear right corner of the frame with rugs.

FIG. 10 a is a cutaway view of the rear upper left corner of the frame with the rug being lifted into a raised position.

FIG. 10 b is a cutaway view of the rear upper left corner of the frame with the rug being lifted into raised position.

FIG. 10 c is a cutaway view of the rear upper left corner of the frame with the rug being lifted into raised position.

FIG. 10 d is a cutaway view of the rear upper left corner of the frame with rugs in raised position.

FIG. 10 e is a cutaway view of the rear upper left corner of the frame with rugs in raised position with the lifting process starting over.

FIG. 11 a is a side view of the catch member.

FIG. 11 b is a rear view of the catch member.

FIG. 11 c is a side view of the catch member.

FIG. 11 d is a top view of the catch member.

FIG. 11 e is a front view of the catch member.

FIG. 12 a is a top view of the frictional member.

FIG. 12 b is a front view of the frictional member.

FIG. 12 c is a rear view of the frictional member.

FIG. 12 d is a side view of the frictional member.

FIG. 12 e is a side view of the frictional member.

FIG. 12 f is a side view of the frictional member with cam engaged.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A. Overview

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 12f illustrate a rug display system 10, which comprises a frame 20 having a plurality of vertical members 22, a plurality of support members 40 extending between the vertical members 22, a plurality of elongated members 50 movably positioned upon the vertical members 22, and at least one first motor 30 connected to the elongated members 50 for moving the elongated members 50 for lifting one of the support member 40. The plurality of support members 40 are selectively engageable with the elongated members 50 to lift an upper support member 40 upwardly. The support members 40 each support at least one rug 12 to be displayed. A plurality of belts 52 are movably positioned upon the vertical members 22 along with at least one second motor 32 connected to the belts 52 for lowering the raised support members 40.

B. Frame

The structure and configuration of the frame 20 is preferably comprised of a heavy construction and includes the vertical members 22 for support and strength. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the shape of the base is preferably rectangular.

At each corner of the frame 20 is preferably a set of four vertical members 22. FIGS. 9a and 9b show two of the corners each with a set of four vertical members 22. The vertical members 22 are preferably comprised of a substantially similar structure. FIGS. 1 through 3 show the vertical members 22 are preferably attached to an upper support structure and lower support structure connecting all four corners to maintain structural rigidity of the frame 20.

The vertical members 22 at each corner are preferably hollow rectangular tubes as shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b. The two vertical members 22 that house the frictional members 70 have an opening at least as wide as the base member 90 to allow the frictional member 70 to travel up and down its length. The hollow vertical members 22 also serve as housing for the belts 52 and frictional members 70.

FIGS. 9 a and 9b shows the vertical members 22 are separated by a distance of at least a greater width of the elongated member 50 summed with the width of the catch members 60 attached to either side of the elongated member 50. FIGS. 7 and 8 shows the vertical members 22 are also spaced apart as to allow room for clearance between the elongated member 50 and the lifting axle 54 and second axle. The four vertical members 22 at each respective corner maintain this spacing by preferably securing plates to their faces so as not to interfere with any moving parts such as the elongated members 50, catch members 60, and the frictional members 70.

The vertical members 22 also serve to provide a mounting structure for other key components of the rug 12 display system. Among others, some components mounted on the vertical members 22 are the first motor 30, second motor 32, first gearbox 31, second gearbox 33, belts 52, and transfer members as seen in FIGS. 1 through 3.

C. Rug Support Members

The structure and configuration of the support members 40 is preferably comprised of strong tarp-like canvas or material of similar strength. A suitably strong material is necessary to carry the weight of the rug 12 as it is displayed.

The support member 40 is preferably tautly held in a place to prevent sagging by the fastener 44 on the connecting member 42 as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8. The fastener 44 and connecting member 42 are preferably a length at least as great as the length of the side of the support member 40 it is holding. A fastener 44 and connecting member 42 of substantially similar structure serve the same function as said fastener 44 and connecting member 42 on the opposite end of the support member 40.

To keep the support member 40 taut the connecting member 42 is attached to the base member 90 of the frictional member 70. The frictional members 70 are not allowed horizontal movement, only vertical by the rollers 76 contacting the inner surface of the vertical member 22.

To display rugs 12 using this system, a plurality of support members 40 are installed on the rug 12 display system. To display a rug 12, a rug 12 is laid out on top support member 40, as seen in FIG. 1. In the lowered position, the uppermost support member 40 is at a distance from the ground level that is no greater than chest-height of an average person. The height allows the rugs 12 to be placed onto the support member 40 without the aid of ladders or steps for the people placing the rugs 12, and it allows the rugs 12 to be seen by easily by onlookers

The support members 40 preferably have a length and width greater than the length and width, respectively, of the rugs 12 to be displayed. This will allow the rugs 12 to be laid out flat on the support member 40 eliminating the need to further roll or adjust the rugs 12 to store them on the rug 12 display system. FIGS. 1 through 3 show the preferable displaying of rugs 12 is only one rug 12 per support member 40. If smaller dimensioned rugs 12 are to be displayed, more than one can be placed on a given support member 40 provided the rugs 12 don't overlap and cause spacing issues or the need to move rugs 12 after initial placement.

The rug 12 display system has been designed to lift one support member 40 at a time. The support member 40 is raised from the lower position to the upper position on rug 12 display system as seen in FIG. 2. Now the uppermost support member 40 in the lowered position is exposed and a rug 12 can be placed on it. The lifting of support members 40 and placing rugs 12 on them can be repeated until all available rugs 12 have been put on the support members 40 or until all support members 40 have rugs 12 placed on them. Now, the support members 40 with the rugs 12 can be moved back to the original lowered position, FIG. 3, and the rugs 12 are in place to be displayed.

FIG. 4 through 6 show the support members 40 for displaying rugs 12 are designed to be stacked with minimal distance between each layer of support member 40 since the frictional members 70 are stacked firmly atop of one another. The stacking is in an alternating fashion on the right and left side of the elongated member 50, as shown in FIG. 10a through 10e. FIGS. 7 and 8 show the spacing of support members 40 being equal to half the height of the base member 90 since the frictional members 70 are stacked firmly on top of one another in this preferred alternating stacking method. The spacing distance between each support member 40 is such that a rug 12 fits between each successive support member 40 with minimal vertical space left over to allow a maximum number of rugs 12 to be displayed on this unit.

D. Lifting and Lowering Structure

i. Motors and Chains

It is preferred two motors are used on the rug 12 display system. The first motor 30 is used to power the lifting process of the support members 40 displaying the rugs 12. The second motor 32 is used to power the lowering support members 40 displaying the rugs 12. Electric motors are preferred since they are relatively small in comparison to the size of the rug 12 display system, run quietly, and electricity sources are easily accessible.

The first motor 30 is used raise the support members 40. The first motor 30 is preferably mounted to the upper portion of the set of vertical members 22 in the front right corner of the frame 20 as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. This first motor 30 is connected to the first gearbox 31 and is preferably located on the upper portion of the set of vertical members 22 in the front right corner of the frame 20. The first gear box is attached to the lifting axle 54 that runs from the upper portion of the set of vertical members 22 in the front right corner of the frame 20 to the upper portion of the vertical members 22 in the rear right corner of the frame 20.

FIGS. 1 through 3 shows the lifting axle 54 is preferably placed as near as possible to the upper end of the vertical members 22 to ensure the rugs 12 in the raised position are lifted a distance as great as possible above the rugs 12 in the lowered position. The distance created between the rugs 12 in the raised position and the rugs 12 in the lowered position is to allow an unobstructed view of the rug 12 displayed on the uppermost support member 40 in the lowered position and to allow unhindered loading and unloading of the rugs 12 onto the support member 40.

The lifting axle 54 from the first gearbox 31 passes through each respective loop created by the two elongated members 50 and the first transfer member 56 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The structure and configuration of the elongated members 50 and the first transfer member 56 is preferably comprised of a chain. The preferred engagement of the elongated members 50 and the first transfer member 56 to the lifting axle 54 is by a sprocket mounted on the lifting axle 54.

One elongated member 50 is located around the lifting axle 54 in the spacing between the right and left side vertical members 22 of the front right corner, as seen in FIG. 9a. The elongated member 50 has the same respective placement around the lifting axle 54 in the spacing between the right and left side vertical members 22 at the other three corners of the frame 20.

The elongated member 50 needs to be kept taut to effectively transfer the rotary motion of the lifting axle 54. This is accomplished by engaging the elongated member 50 to preferably a sprocket on an axle located very near the bottom of the said vertical members 22 in the aforementioned space between the left and right side vertical members 22. The elongated member 50 will be attached in a substantially similar manner in the other three corners of the frame 20. FIGS. 4 through 6 show the sprocket and axle is preferably placed as close as possible to the bottom portion of the vertical members 22 to ensure the rugs 12 displayed on the support members 40 in lowered position can be easily lifted onto the support members 40, off of the support members 40, and can be viewed easily by people of various heights.

As stated previously, the lifting axle 54 runs the from the first gear box in the upper portion of the front right corner vertical members 22 to the upper portion of the rear right corner vertical members 22. It is obvious the rotary motion is consistent all along the length of this lifting axle 54 as it is in any solid axle. Since the rotary motion doesn't vary across the axle, the transfer of motion to the elongated member 50 doesn't vary on either the right front or right rear corners and therefore the elongated members 50 will have substantially similar motion.

To keep the motion of the elongated members 50 on the left side of the frame 20 synchronized with the motion of the elongated members 50 on the right side of the frame 20, a first transfer member 56 is engaged to the lifting axle 54 on the right side of the frame 20 and also engaged to a lifting axle 54 on the left side of the frame 20 as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. The first transfer member 56 preferably is positioned along the outside of the frame 20, as seen in FIG. 1, so as not to interfere with the support structure of the frame 20 and also to avoid entanglement with the support members 40 or the rugs 12. The functionality and respective placement of the lifting axle 54 on the left side of the frame 20 is substantially similar to the lifting axle 54 on the right side of the frame 20.

Each of the four elongated members 50 is attached to the support members 40 via the catch member 60 and frictional members 70. The preferred attachment of the catch member 60, frictional member 70, elongated member 50, and the support member 40 will be discussed in greater detail later. The lifting axles 54 are turned in a manner to have the side of the elongated members 50 with the upright oriented catch member 60 rise. Hence, when the catch members 60 move upward and engage the frictional member 70, the frictional member 70 also moves upward with the attached support members 40.

Because the elongated members 50 have substantially similar motion, the support members 40 can be lifted in a horizontally level, uniform fashion thus reducing the possibility of the support members 40 being stretched or torn. The possibility is also reduced of having the rugs 12 slide around causing the need for additional physical labor or repair.

ii. Catch Members and Frictional Members

The catch members 60 and frictional members 70 have been mentioned serving as the connection from the support member 40 to the elongated member 50. The structure and configuration of the catch member 60 is preferably comprised of heavy construction and includes absorption pads 64 for dampening impact and engaging members 62 for cradling the locking pin 78 from the frictional member 70.

The front side of the catch member 60 is where the attachment of the elongated member 50 is located. FIG. 11a shows a portion of the elongated member 50, in this case it is the chain link, has been directly attached to the catch member 60. The elongated member 50 attachment should be centered latitudinally on the catch member 60 as seen in FIG. 11e.

The rear side of the catch member 60 holds the engaging members 62. The structure and configuration of the engaging member is preferably comprised of two identical cylindrical solids. The two engaging members 62 are located on the rear side of the catch member 60 at a substantially similar vertical placement with a substantially similar horizontal distance from the longitudinal center. The horizontal distance from the longitudinal center is no greater than the radius of the engaging member plus the radius of the locking pin 78. The preferred shape of the rear side of the catch member 60, as shown in FIG. 11b, is channel-like which will guide the locking pin 78 into a position of being aligned with the latitudinal center of the catch member 60 to make contact with both engaging members 62.

The locking pin 78 provides a downward force on the engaging members 62 due to the weight of all that is attached to the frictional members 70 such as the support members 40 and rug 12. As shown in FIGS. 9a, 9b, and 10a through 10e the engaging members 62 are not in vertical alignment with the latitudinal center of the elongated member 50. A torque is produced on the elongated member 50 due to the downward force on the engaging members 62 of the catch member 60 and the bottom portion of the catch member 60 has tendency to be forced into the elongated member 50.

The torque on the elongated member 50 can cause twisting and extra wearing of the elongated member 50. To prevent, or at least minimize, the effects of this torque on the elongated member 50 an elongated member guide 51 has been added. FIGS. 10a through 10e shows the preferred embodiment of the elongated member guide 51. The elongated member guide 51 is of a width that is no greater that the distance between the inner right and left side of the elongated member 50. The elongated member guide 51 is placed in between the right and left side of the elongated member 50.

FIG. 11 d shows the profile of the elongated member 50. The center portion of the elongated member 50 is not as thick as the two outer sides. This shape allows the elongated member guide 51 rail to run along the center portion of the elongated member 50 in between the two outer sides. The two outer sides are restrained by the elongated member guide 51 rail and will prevent significant sideways movement or twisting. In the case that the catch member 60 is twisted or pushed into the elongated member 50 the absorption pads 64 will dampen this movement.

The absorption pads 64 are located on the front side of the catch member 60, as seen in FIG. 11a, alongside the elongated member 50. The absorption pad 64 is comprised of a rubber-like material so it is firm but still compressible and flexible. The width of the absorption pad 64 is preferably wider that the elongated member 50 to provide full coverage of the side of the elongated member 50.

There are two catch members 60 per elongated member 50. The catch members 60 are spaced so one catch member 60 is placed on the elongated member 50 and then the other catch member 60 is placed away half the length of the elongated member 50. The catch members 60 are attached on alternate sides of the elongated member 50 so one catch member 60 is attached on the right side of the elongated member 50, and the catch member 60 on the same elongated member 50 is attached to the left side. This placement of catch members 60 is understood to be coordinated with all four elongated members 50.

The lifting of an individual support member 40 has, as already stated, many components that work simultaneously. To start this process, the first motor 30 was engaged and this powered the first gearbox 31, and the first gearbox 31 turned the lifting axle 54. Then, the lifting axle 54 turned the elongated members 50. Being attached to the elongated members 50, the catch members 60 obviously follow its same path as the elongated member 50.

To transfer the vertical motion of the catch member 60 to lift the support member 40, the catch member 60 and frictional member 70 are engaged to work together in lifting the support members 40. FIG. 10a illustrates the beginning segment of this process in which the path traveled by the catch member 60 alongside the elongated member 50 is a vertical climb where the support member 40 has already been lifted from the lowered position to this current position. The catch member 60 is on the left side of the elongated member 50. It can be appreciated from earlier explanation that the other catch member 60 on this elongated member 50 is on the right side and its current position is at a distance away from shown catch member 60 by half the length of the elongated member 50.

The catch member 60 on the right hand side of the elongated member 50 has lifted the support members 40 attached to the frictional members 70 on the right side of the elongated member 50 into place, and hence the catch member 60 on the left side of the elongated member 50 has lifted the support members 40 with frictional members 70 on the left side of the elongated member 50 into place. FIG. 10a shows the uppermost support member 40 has a frictional member 70 attached to it and the next support member 40 lifted has a frictional member 70 on the right side of the elongated member 50. Comparing vertically, the successive position of each frictional member 70 alternates from the left to the right to the left and so on to allow for the successful engagement of the locking pin 78 to the catch members 60 located on both the left and right side of each elongated member 50.

The structure and configuration of the frictional members 70 is preferably comprised of heavy construction and includes a base member 90, extended member 92, cross member 94, and locking pin 78. The frictional member 70 also includes the base member 90, lever member 96, cam 98, collar member 80, end portion 82, first spring 84, second spring 86, arm member 72, bias member 74, rollers 76, and stopper end 79.

The base member 90 of the frictional member 70 has extending latitudinally the extended member 92 which is comprised of sidewalls of substantially similar height as the base member 90 and with a preferably rectangular base as seen in FIGS. 12a through 12e. The extended member 92 serves as a housing and support structure for the lever member 96, cam 98, collar member 80, and cross member 94.

The rear end of the base member 90 has been established as the preferred attachment point to the connecting members 42. The front end of the base member 90 has the rear end of the arm member 72 attached with a pin to allow for arm member 72 rotation. The front end of the arm member 72 extends outward beyond the front end of the base member 90 sloping downward. The preferable shape of the rear end of the arm member 72 is an upside down u-shaped which flattens out toward the front end of the arm member 72 to a horizontal edge.

The bias member 74 is placed between the bottom side of the arm member 72 and top side of the base member 90 to exert a pushing force on the arm member 72 to ensure the arm member 72 is contacting the belt 52. The downward orientation of the arm member 72 with the horizontal edge allows for a maximum amount of friction between the arm member 72 and the belt 52 to hold the frictional member 70 and attached support members 40 from being pulled downward. The weight of the support member 40 structure, rugs 12, connecting members 42, and fasteners 44 pull downward on the frictional members 70 to further drive the front end of the arm members 72 into the surface of the belts 52.

When the frictional members 70 are being lifted, a minimum amount of friction is desired. The arm member 72 is allowed to rotate about said pin to greatly reduce the friction between the arm member 72 and the belt 52 as the frictional member 70 is being pulled upward along the stationary belt 52. The downward orientation prevents the horizontal edge from engaging the arm member 72 into the belt 52.

The collar member 80 is a cylindrical hollow shaft. The collar is supported by passing through the cross member 94 and the sidewall of the extended member 92 that runs parallel to the base member 90 as shown in FIGS. 12a through 12c. Through the axial center of the collar member 80 passes the locking pin 78 which is greater in length that the collar member 80. Attached to the end of the collar member 80 outside of the parameters of the extended member 92 is the end portion 82 as shown in FIG. 12a through 12c.

The second spring 86 is wrapped around the exterior wall of the collar member 80 as seen in FIG. 12a between the interior of the sidewall of the extended member 92 and the pin. The collar member 80 is allowed to move only in an axial direction through the sidewall. The distance between the pin and the extended member 92 is at least small enough to compress the second spring 86 a given distance to cause enough force to push the collar member 80 and end portion 82 back into place when the lever member 96 and cam 98 are no longer causing an outward force on the collar member 80 and end portion 82, as seen in FIG. 12b. In this position of the collar member 80 shown in FIG. 10c, the second spring 86 is compressed and is exerting a force to return the collar member 80 to original position.

The lever member 96 is attached to the sidewall of the extended member 92 that runs parallel to the base member 90 preferably by a pin that allows for rotation as shown in FIGS. 10a through 10c and 12a through 12e. The cam 98 is on the end of the lever member 96 that is located nearer to said pin. The opposite end of the lever member 96 is preferably rounded so as it contacts the bottom of another frictional member 70 the lever member 96 can smoothly rotate as seen in FIG. 10a through 10c.

The process of lifting a support member 40 is due to the upward lifting action of the catch member 60 on the elongated member 50 engaging the locking pin 78 and lifting the frictional member 70 and the attached support member 40 in a substantially similar manner in all four corners of the frame 20. FIG. 10a shows the support member 40 lifting is almost complete as it is nearly in the raised position. As the elongated member 50 continues to pull the catch member 60 upward, the catch member 60 continues to pull upward the frictional member 70.

The lever member 96 of the frictional member 70 that is being raised is now contacting the bottom of the extended member 92 of the last frictional member 70 to be raised in place on the left side of the elongated member 50. FIGS. 10a, 12b, and 12c show the lever member 96 in its original position is orientated at an acute angle to the top surface of the extended member 92.

FIG. 10 b shows the lever member 96 is rotating downward, clockwise. As the cam 98 on the lever member 96 is rotated clockwise the contact point of the cam 98 to the end portion 82 has an increasing radius so it pushes outward, to the left, on the end portion 82. The end portion 82 is directly attached to the collar so axial movement of the collar member 80 is resulted from simultaneous directional movement of the end portion 82.

The outward movement of the end portion 82, to the left, causes the first spring 84 to compress and push against the stopper end 79. The stopper end 79 is attached to the locking pin 78 so axial movement of the pin results from simultaneous directional movement of the stopper end 79. FIGS. 10b and 10c show the first spring 84 is compressed and is exerting a force to push the stopper end 79 and hence the locking pin 78 outward to the left. The right end of the locking pin 78 is maintaining contact with the engaging members 62 of the catch member 60.

The weight of the rug 12 and support member 40 attached to the base member 90 of the frictional member 70 pulls downward while the engaging members 62 of the catch member 60 are pulling upward. This upward force on the right end of the locking pin 78 and the downward force on the base member 90 cause the locking pin 78 to bind frictionally with the base member 90 and with the engaging members 62. The said frictional forces are at least greater than the force of the first spring 84 pushing to the left on the stopper end 79 and hence the locking pin 78.

As the lifting process continues, as shown in FIG. 10c, the elongated member 50 continues to pull the catch member 60 upward along with the frictional member 70. The frictional member 70 can no longer be pulled any further upward as the upper portion of the extended member 92 comes in contact with the lower portion of the extended member 92 of the frictional member 70 immediately above said frictional member 70. As the frictional member 70 that is engaged to the catch member 60 moves to this position, the lever member 96 is rotated further clockwise. This clockwise rotation causes the cam 98 to extend further outward, to the left, displacing further outward the end portion 82 and collar member 80 combination. The movement of the end portion 82 and collar member 80 outward while the locking pin 78 and stopper end 79 remain stationary further compresses the first spring 84.

Shown in FIG. 10c, the first motor 30 is still engaged and is causing the elongated member 50 to be pulling upward on the catch member 60. The said frictional forces between the base member 90 and the locking pin 78 along with the locking pin 78 and the engaging members 62 are still present and are at least greater than the force of the first spring 84 pushing to the left on the still stationary stopper end 79 attached to the locking pin 78.

In FIG. 10d the motor is disengaged and the force on the elongated member 50 is relaxed. The upward force on the catch member 60 is now causing said frictional forces of at least less than the force of the first spring 84 pushing to the left on the stopper end 79. The stopper end 79 and locking pin 78 are pushed to the left and released from the catch member 60. As stated earlier, the frictional force between the arm member 72 and the belt 52 holds the frictional member 70 in place and the attached support member 40 at the established position.

With the locking pin 78 released from the engaging members 62, the said catch member 60 is no longer prevented from moving upward. When the first motor 30 is engaged the elongated members 50 holding the catch members 60 can freely move upward, as seen in FIG. 10e. The next catch member 60 to engage a locking pin 78 will be on the right hand side of said elongated member 50 and its connecting members 42 will engage with the locking pin 78 of the frictional member 70 on the uppermost support member 40 in lowered position.

The uppermost support member 40 in lowered position holds the position of displaying the next rug 12. To display the rugs 12 on the rest of the support members 40, the support members 40 are lifted in the same manner as the lifting process described above. Once all the desired rugs 12 have been displayed and the support members 40 have been moved to the upper position, the support members 40 are lowered back to the lowered position.

The second motor 32 is used to lower the support members 40 as shown in FIG. 3. The second motor 32 is preferably mounted to the upper portion of the set of vertical members 22 in the rear right corner of the frame 20 as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. This first motor 30 is connected to the second gearbox 33 also preferably located on the upper portion of the set of vertical members 22 in the rear right corner of the frame 20. The second gearbox 33 is attached to the lowering axle 55 that runs from the upper portion of the set of vertical members 22 in the rear right corner of the frame 20 to the upper portion of the vertical members 22 in the front right corner of the frame 20.

The lowering axle 55 from the second gearbox 33 passes through each respective loop created by the two belts 52 and the second transfer member 57 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8. The structure and configuration of the second transfer member 57 is preferably comprised of a chain. The preferred engagement of the second transfer members 57 to the lowering axle 55 is by a sprocket mounted on the lowering axle 55.

The structure and configuration of the belt 52 is preferably comprised of a chain and a rubber-like material attached to the outer loop surface as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The chain engages the sprocket on the lowering axle 55 and runs along the inner left edge of the left vertical member 22 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The belt 52 is positioned against the vertical member 22 so when the arm member 72 pushes into the rubber-like material a minimal amount of horizontal movement will take place by the belt 52 in the direction of the pushing force. This will help ensure a successful frictional engagement of the arm member 72 and the belt 52.

Before starting the process of returning the support members 40 from the raised position to the lowered position, as seen in FIG. 3, the catch members 60 must not be engaged to the locking pins 78 and the first motor 30 must also be disengaged. Then, to start the lowering process the second motor 32 is engaged to power the turning of the lowering axles 55 as shown in FIG. 8.

The rollers 76 on each frictional member 70 aid the lowering process by rolling along the inside edge of the vertical member 22 to help produce a smooth lowering motion as shown in FIG. 8. The chain portion of the belt 52 slides along the inside of the vertical members 22. This chain portion of the belt 52 sliding along the vertical member 22 produces far less friction than the rubber-like material of the belt 52 and thus requires less power from the second motor 32 to move the support members 40 downward. This setup prevents the rubber-like material from forcefully rubbing on the insider surface of the vertical member 22 and wearing out.

FIG. 8 shows the lowering axle 55 is being turned in a manner to lower the side of the belt 52 that has the arm members 72 frictionally engaged to it. As the belt 52 is lowered, the frictional members 70 move downward with the belt 52, and hence the connecting members 42, support members 40, and rugs 12 are also lowered. The frictional members 70 are lowered until their motion downward is stopped by the lowest frictional member 70 in the raised position contacting the uppermost frictional member 70 in lowered position.

The support members 40 in lowered position as shown in FIG. 1 are prevented from being lowered by the belt 52 because the lowest frictional member 70 is contacting a stopper. A stopper is placed just above the bottom end of the frictional member 70 to prevent the frictional members 70 from being lowered completely out of the vertical member 22.

The support members 40 in lowered position as shown in FIG. 1 are also prevented from being lowered by the belt 52 because the arm members 72 do not frictionally engage the downward moving belt 52. This is due to the downward orientation of the arm member 72 and the bias member 74 pushes the arm member 72 with a force at least less than the frictional force needed to frictionally engage the surface of the belt 52.

The aforementioned setup for stopping the frictional members 70 in lowered position allows the belt 52 to continue running downward after the frictional members 70 have come to stop in the lowered position. Since the belt 52 can run inconsequentially after the support members 40 are in lowered position, the need to carefully monitor and disengage the second motor 32 with precise timing is eliminated.

E. Operation of Invention

In use, to load the rugs 12 onto the rug 12 display system the support members 40 are brought to the lowered position as shown in FIG. 1. To lower the support members 40 to the lowered position, the second motor 32 is turned on to rotate the belts 52. As the belt 52 turns, the frictional members 70 and the attached support members 40 lower. Once all of the support members 40 are in the lower position, the second motor 32 is shut off.

The rugs 12 may now be loaded onto the support members 40 of the rug 12 display system. The rug 12 to be loaded is aligned in between the vertical members 22 and loaded onto the uppermost support member 40 of the rug 12 display system as shown in FIG. 1. The loaded rug 12 and the uppermost support member 40 are now ready to be raised to allow space for the next rug 12 to be loaded onto the second uppermost support member 40 as shown in FIG. 2.

To raise the uppermost support member 40 into a raised position, the first motor 30 is turned on to lift the elongated members 50 and the attached catch members 60. As the catch member 60 moves upward, it engages the locking pin 78 to lift the frictional member 70 and support member 40 to the raised position which is near the top of the frame 20 as shown in FIGS. 10a through 10c. When the raised position is reached, the first motor 30 is shut off to stop the lifting motion of the catch member 60 and allow the locking pin 78 to pull free from the catch member 60 as shown in FIG. 10d. The above loading process is repeated until all the rugs 12 to be displayed have been placed on support members 40, or until all of the support members 40 have rugs 12 placed on them.

To display the rugs 12, the support members 40 in the raised position need to descend back to the original lowered position. The second motor 32 is turned on to lower the support members 40 as in the process described above, as shown in FIG. 8. Now the rugs 12 are in a position for the viewer to lift and lower the desired rugs 12 as described above.

To unload the desired rug 12 from the rug 12 display system, the support member 40 holding the desired rug 12 is raised to an easily accessible height. The rug 12 may then be removed from the rug 12 display system. If desired, another rug 12 may be placed on the newly emptied support member 40 of the rug 12 display system.

What has been described and illustrated herein is a preferred embodiment of the invention along with some of its variations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention, which is intended to be defined by the following claims (and their equivalents) in which all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.

Claims

1. A rug display system, comprising: a frame having a plurality of vertical members;a plurality of support members extending between said vertical members, wherein each of said plurality of support members are comprised of a substantially flat structure to support at least one rug in a display position;a plurality of elongated members movably positioned upon said vertical members in a substantially vertical manner;wherein said plurality of support members are each selectively engageable with said elongated members to lift an upper support member upwardly;a first motor connected to said elongated members for moving said elongated members for lifting one of said support member;a plurality of belts are movably positioned upon said vertical members in a substantially vertical manner;a second motor connected to said plurality of belts;a plurality of frictional members connected to said plurality of support members for selectively engaging in a frictional manner said plurality of belts when in a raised position and for selectively engaging said elongated members, wherein said plurality of belts are for retaining said plurality of support members in a raised position and for lowering said plurality of support members in the raised position.

2. The rug display system of claim 1, including a plurality of catch members attached to said plurality of elongated members, wherein said plurality of catch members selectively engage said upper support member.

3. The rug display system of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of frictional members include an arm member pivotally attached to a base member.

4. The rug display system of claim 3, wherein said arm member extends at a downward angle to engage said plurality of belts when said plurality of belts are moving upwardly and to not engage said plurality of belts when said plurality of belts are moving downwardly.

5. The rug display system of claim 1, including at least one roller attached to each of said plurality of frictional members.

6. The rug display system of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of frictional members disengage said plurality of elongated members when a corresponding support member is elevated to a raised position.

7. A rug display system, comprising: a frame having a plurality of vertical members;a plurality of support members extending between said vertical members, wherein each of said plurality of support members are comprised of a substantially flat structure to support at least one rug in a display position; anda means for selectively lowering and raising said plurality of support members.

8. A rug display system, comprising: a frame;a means for supporting a plurality of rugs within said frame; anda means for selectively lowering and raising said plurality of support members.