Support Having Gravity-type Light Source Or Light Modifier Raising And Lowering Means Patents (Class 362/403)
  • Patent number: 6089733
    Abstract: A pendant elevation and projecting angle adjusting structure includes a locating disk fixedly fastened to the bottom end of a suspension rod at the ceiling, a plurality of pull ropes respectively inserted through equiangularly spaced wire holes at the locating disks, a lampshade and a balance plate respectively suspended from the ends of the pull rods below the locating disk, and a power cord inserted through the suspension rod and connected to the lampshade, wherein the lampshade is tilted to change the light projecting angle of the lamp bulb when one pull rope is pulled; the elevation of the lampshade is changed when the balance plate is pulled downwards or lifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Meiric Chen
  • Patent number: 6074075
    Abstract: A high mast lighting system includes an elongated vertical mast having upper and lower ends, an annular lamp support ring surrounding the mast and having a plurality of lamps removably mounted thereon, a mechanism for raising and lowering the ring along the mast between the upper and lower ends, and a centering device for centering the ring on the mast when moved by the moving mechanism between the upper and lower positions. The centering device includes a plurality of resilient members equally spaced around the inner circumference of the ring and paired with a plurality of contact members. Each resilient member is secured to two locations on the inner circumference of the ring and spans the inner circumference of the ring so as to form a substantially linear chord when the ring is centered on the mast. Each contact member resiliently contacts the mast with a centering force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: JJI Lighting Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore Staniec
  • Patent number: 6019484
    Abstract: A portable task lighting device which comprises an elongated fluorescent light assembly that casts a broad, glare-free, and cool flood of light and is rotatably connected to the distal end of a boom arm for a full 360.degree. of rotation. Its boom arm can be fixed into a plurality of positive locking positions both above and below the top of its mast by adjustment of a pivot block supported by the mast. The preferred embodiment of the lighting device has a telescoping mast with a square cross-sectional configuration. The mast supports the proximal end of the boom arm and provides extension between approximately thirty-two and ninety inches. The mast is supported by a base assembly having two shorter rear legs which are adjustable laterally relative to one another and two elongated front legs which are locked into position at a predetermined stationary angle by insertion of the mast within a square opening through the top of the base assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Inventor: Christopher M. Seyler
  • Patent number: 5975726
    Abstract: A high mast lighting system is disclosed in which an elongated vertical mast having upper and lower ends is surrounded by an annular support ring. The support ring has a plurality of lamps removably mounted thereon. Drive means is provided for raising and lowering the ring along the mast between its upper and lower ends. A plurality of guide rollers are mounted on the upper end of the mast with a plurality of flexible cables operatively connected at one end to the ring and guided over the rollers on the mast. The opposite ends of the cables extend downwardly from the rollers into the mast where they are operatively connected to the drive means which selectively moves the cables upwardly and downwardly in the mast to raise and lower the ring. The system includes a rigid hollow latching arm associated with at least one of the cables and pivotally connected to the ring above the connection of its associated cable to the ring with the cable passing through the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Quality Lighting
    Inventor: Michael Latimer
  • Patent number: 5718602
    Abstract: An improved suspension connector assembly is provided that is particularly adapted for use with a multiple pin and barrel type electrical connector. The suspension connector assembly includes a female connector mounted within a stationary housing, a movable male connector adapted to be raised and lowered toward and away from the female connector via the cable of a hoisting mechanism, and a latching mechanism for latching and unlatching the male connector to the female connector when the two are mutually engaged for a latching stroke distance. A resilient mounting assembly interconnects the female connector with the stationary housing. The stroke of the resilient mounting assembly is at least as long as the latching stroke distance of the latching mechanism so that the pins and barrels of the male and female electrical connectors will not be partially pulled apart from one another as a result of the stroke of the latching mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Duraline, A Division Of J.B. Nottingham Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Paul F. Savoca
  • Patent number: 5568970
    Abstract: The invention provides in a first aspect a novel synchronous motor in which the rotor comprises a substantially solid multi-pole magnet axially displaced from the coil which, itself, is of substantially the same diametrical size. With this arrangement a very powerful motor can be provided for a relatively small size and is suitable for use in powering ornaments such as Christmas tree ornaments direct from a socket of a fairy light string or decorative lights. In a second aspect of the invention, reciprocation means are provided suitable for use with the synchronous motor of the first aspect which can automatically raise and lower ornaments and similar novelty items. In a third aspect of the invention reciprocation means is provided which may be used either with the synchronous motor of the invention or with a conventional D.C. motor to provide for winding and sudden unwinding of a cord and hence an ornament or a novelty item attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Inventor: Frank J. Prineppi
  • Patent number: 5519597
    Abstract: An elevation mechanism for moving a lamp includes a motor secured in a housing and having a spindle. A board is disposed below the housing and connected to the spindle by a cable. The cable is wound on and unwound from the spindle in order to move the board upward and downward when the motor is energized. A lamp is coupled to the board. The lamp is moved upward and downward for repairing purposes when the motor is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Inventor: Wen-Hwa Tsai
  • Patent number: 5494326
    Abstract: An overhead electrical fixture including a lowerable serviceable fixture portion that may be readily lowered by a portable lowering tool to facilitate servicing by a technician at ground level. The overhead fixture includes a mounting base adapted to be secured relatively high above ground level, such as in a church. In the normal operating position, the serviceable fixture portion is releasably secured to the mounting base by a relatively short length of cable secured at one end to the serviceable fixture portion, and at the opposite end to a cable connector, such as a ring. The ring rests against the mounting base adjacent a slotted opening in the normal operating position. The ring may be engaged by a hook of the lowering tool and rotated so that the ring may pass through the slotted opening in the mounting base to effect release and lowering of the serviceable fixture portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Inventor: Richard A. Hinds
  • Patent number: 5448464
    Abstract: A lamp stand 1 is provided which has a ground-engaging base 2, a vertical support member 3 carried on the base, a carriage 10 movable along the support member, and an arm 11 on the carriage for attachment of a photographic lamp 9. The carriage 10 is mounted on the support member 3 so as to be slidable along the support member 3 to adjust its vertical position simply by manually applying a lifting force to a portion of the lamp 9 and raising or lowering the lamp to the required height, and so that, when the lamp 9 is subsequently released on reaching of the required height, the carriage 10 is fixedly held in that position on the support member 3 by frictional engagement with the support member. This renders adjustment of the height of the lamp particularly straightforward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Ellis Moss Patents Limited
    Inventor: Peter E. Moss
  • Patent number: 5396409
    Abstract: A lamp assembly is disclosed which includes a base, a lamp arm mounting adapter on the base for pivotally mounting a lamp arm thereto, with the lamp arm itself having a first pair of hollow support tubes mounted on the adapter for pivotal movement on a vertical axis in a generally horizontal plane and having a arm support pivotally mounted on their opposite ends for pivotal movement on a vertical axis on a horizontal plane. A second pair of arms having inner and outer ends are pivotally mounted on their inner ends to-the arm support for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis in a verticals plane. A counterbalance spring is connected between the arm support and the second pair of arms and a lamp head is pivotally connected on the outer end of the second pair of arms for pivotal movement at least about a horizontal axis in a vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Luxo Lamp Corporation
    Inventor: Sava Cvek
  • Patent number: 5393245
    Abstract: An overhead electrical fixture including a lowerable serviceable fixture portion that may be readily lowered by a portable lowering tool to facilitate servicing by a technician at ground level. The overhead fixture includes a mounting base adapted to be secured relatively high above ground level, such as in a church. In the normal operating position, the serviceable fixture portion is releasably secured to the mounting base by a relatively short length of cable secured at one end to the serviceable fixture portion, and at the opposite end to a cable connector, such as a ring. The ring rests against the mounting base adjacent a slotted opening in the normal operating position. The ring may be engaged by a hook of the lowering tool and rotated so that the ring may pass through the slotted opening in the mounting base to effect release and lowering of the serviceable fixture portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Inventor: Richard A. Hinds, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5329437
    Abstract: Embodiments of a retractable electric candle system are shown and described, each for installation into a window sill so that the candle rises out of the sill for use and retracts down into the space under the sill for storage. The candle system includes a base for attachment over an aperture drilled in the sill, a candle that slides up and down through the base and the sill, and a tube member into which the candle retracts. When a cover is removed from the base, a spring pops up the candle enough to allow the user to grasp it for lifting. A slot and pin mechanism cooperate to reversibly lock the candle into a raised position when the candle is lifted and rotated about 1/4 turn. Electrical contacts, wiring, and electrical tape are positioned to electrify the bulb or other display unit on top of the candle when the candle system is connected to a power source and when the candle is in the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Inventor: Perry A. Briggs
  • Patent number: 5317493
    Abstract: An assembly is disclosed for mounting on an inclined planar surface, a light fixture suspended by at least one fixture suspension cable and provided with at least one power cord. In general, the mounting assembly comprises a mounting base, and first and second suspension means. The mounting base is for attachment to a planar structure disposed relative to a reference plane, and includes at least one power cord suspension aperture. The first suspension means is operably associated with the mounting base and is adapted for attachment to one end of the fixture cable. The second suspension means is mounted through the power cord suspension aperture and is adapted for attachment to a portion of the power cord. The first suspension means and the second suspension means each permit pivotal movement of the fixture suspension cable and the power cord, respectively, that is, relative to the mounting base, and the first suspension means and the second suspension means are operable independent of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Lightolier Division of the Genlyte Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry P. Muller, Stanley Arasim
  • Patent number: 5299952
    Abstract: An overhead electrical fixture including a lowerable serviceable fixture portion that may be readily lowered by a portable lowering tool to facilitate servicing by a technician at ground level. The overhead fixture includes a mounting base adapted to be secured relatively high above ground level, such as in a church. In the normal operating position, the serviceable fixture portion is releasably secured to the mounting base by a relatively short length of cable secured at one end to the serviceable fixture portion, and at the opposite end to a cable connector, such as a ring. The ring rests against the mounting base adjacent a slotted opening in the normal operating position. The ring may be engaged by a hook of the lowering tool and rotated so that the ring may pass through the slotted opening in the mounting base to effect release and lowering of the serviceable fixture portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Inventor: Richard A. Hinds, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5012398
    Abstract: A leveling device for leveling the orientation of a suspended light bar, beam, or cross-arm to which is mounted one or more light fixtures includes a bracket secured to the light bar and having an outwardly extending end. An adjustment cable is attached at opposite ends to the light bar and the outwardly extended end of the bracket, and passes through a pulley which is attached to the end of a suspension cable, which suspends the light bar and light fixtures from an elevated structure. An actuator member is attached between the pulley and the extended end of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Musco Corp.
    Inventors: Robert D. Jones, David M. Demeyer
  • Patent number: 4851980
    Abstract: A winch having a pair of first and second cylindrical drums; a drive to simultaneously axially rotate the drum; a reciprocating bracket which travels substantially axially parallel to the drums when the drums rotate; the bracket having a pair of spaced apart first and second rope guides; the first guide being capable of receiving a rope being level wound on, or unwound from, the first drum; and the second guide being capable of receiving a rope being level wound on, or unwound from, the second drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Meade Industrial Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Archie McWilliams, Clyde A. Foor, Daniel J. Love
  • Patent number: 4661894
    Abstract: A device for maintaining a luminaire support ring centered about and stabilized on a pole as it is being raised and lowered along the pole. A plurality of spaced stabilizing arms are pivotally mounted on the support ring and are biased into engagement with the pole by individual cables which also provide the raising and lowering means for the support ring. The cables provide a constant centering and stabilizing force exerted by the arms against the pole throughout the vertical travel of the support ring uneffected by changes in pole diameter. Tapered rollers mounted on the arms engage the pole to provide a lower friction sliding engagement therebetween. The arms also extend a predetermined distance beyond the pole engaging rollers to maintain the pole trapped between the arms should the support ring move off-center from the pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Metaltec Corporation
    Inventor: Louis A. Chenot
  • Patent number: 4538214
    Abstract: An illumination system having a continuous fixed ceiling panel, at least one light source suspended by a telescoping arm from the panel and a split-core transformer formed by two electroinductive coils enclosed in permanent magnets through which a magnetic field is created for the sealed transfer of electrical energy through the panel to the light source. One magnet is disposed on opposite surfaces of the panel. Rollers or a pneumatic system may be disposed between each magnet and the surface of the panel on which the magnet is disposed for sliding the magnets over the surfaces of the panel while maintaining the transfer of electrical energy. Secondary lighting means may also be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Fisher, William R. Miller
  • Patent number: 4472769
    Abstract: An improved luminar having an adjustable lamp socket is disclosed. The adjustable socket comprises a generally cylindrical shaped socket shield which is fixed to the ballast housing of the luminar and is positioned around the lamp socket with the socket shield having formed therein a bracket channel and a guide channel. A generally U-shaped bracket is fixedly attached to the socket and has identification means formed thereon designating the relative position of the socket within the socket shield. The bracket also has formed thereon at least one protuberance for positioning in the guide channel means formed on the socket shield. The generally U-shaped bracket is positioned within the bracket channel means and is designed for movement within the channel in the desired position of the lamp in the reflector of the luminar. Locking means are provided for locking the U-shaped bracket within the socket shield at the desired pre-determined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Assignee: Manville Service Corporation
    Inventors: Merle C. Hoke, Richard G. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 4429355
    Abstract: The luminaire raising and lowering system includes a mast head in which a plurality of sets of pulleys are located. A carrier ring containing a number of lighting fixtures is suspended from the top head mast by a plurality of cables associated with respective ones of said sets of pulleys. Those cables are connected to a main winch cable through intermediate linkage means which compensate for differences in the length of said plurality of cables and enable the carrier effectively to "float". Means are also provided to monitor the tension on the main winch cable thereby preventing accidents due to undue slackness of the main winch cable or mispositioning of the same on the winch reel. Four cable and three cable systems are disclosed. Novel latching means are provided to take the load off of the suspension cables when the carrier is at the top of the pole in normal use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Assignee: Union Metal Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: John S. Garchinsky
  • Patent number: 4381539
    Abstract: A lighting equipment of pendant type comprising:a plural number of strings strung between a principal body of the lighting equipment and a holding means from which the lighting equipment is to be suspended for suspending the principal body from the holding means such as a ceiling or a beam,a string winder for winding and paying out the plural number of strings in each other related manner for variation of distance from the ceiling to the principal body, the string winder being to be fixed either to the principal body or on the ceiling,string guiding means for guiding each string and disposed with a predetermined distance from each other, corresponding to the string winder.The equipment has always desirable atitude in plan view aspect as well as in elevation view aspect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1983
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shoji Sakurai
  • Patent number: 4358817
    Abstract: A height adjustable suspension for supporting a fixture frame from an overhead location has a drive shaft rotatably supported in the frame and extending parallel to the length dimension of the frame, a motor supported in the frame and operatively connected with the shaft for rotating the same, a plurality of longitudinally spaced winding drums mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith and separate suspension cables associated with each winding drum. Each cable is mounted on the overhead location and has an end directly affixed to the respective drum. The course of each cable from the overhead location to the respective winding drum is, at all points of the cable, perpendicular to the length dimension of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Assignee: Lohmann-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hans Bielemeier
  • Patent number: 4348717
    Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining coaxial alignment of luminaire support ring on a pole as it is raised or lowered on the pole. The aligning apparatus comprises a plurality of roller members secured around the support ring and resiliently urged against the pole surface to maintain the support ring in substantially centered position relative to the pole and to avoid shock to the luminaires by impact of the support ring on the pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1982
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4272802
    Abstract: An assembly for supporting a light or other signal fixture in an elevated location, either self-supported, as basally, for lighting purposes, or as on TV and radio towers, smoke stacks and other installations requiring elevated operative warning signals, as safety beacon lights or other similar fixtures, at the top portion thereof, and for lowering such fixtures to an accessible inoperative lower location for replacing, repairing or otherwise servicing the fixture without requiring service personnel to climb, to or from the elevated operative location; and including an auxiliary vertical support assembly in association with the tower or like structure and having a carriage associated therewith and carrying a light or other signal fixture, and which carriage may be moved along the support assembly to a lowered, retracted, inoperative position at rest or for replacement or repair of the fixture, and to an upper elevated operative position relative to the tower or like structure, making electrical or other opera
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Inventor: Rufus P. Steadman
  • Patent number: 4237530
    Abstract: A high mast lighting system for highways, airports, parking lots and the like of the type in which light bulbs are mounted on a ring shaped platform of a diameter such that it surrounds the mast and can be raised and locked into a lighting position at the top of the mast by operation of cables extending to the base of the mast. The invention is particularly directed to a novel locking and supporting mechanism for support of the lighting ring platform at the top of the mast independent of its lift cables and in which the locking pawls supporting the ring can be disengaged from their supporting position by operating the lift cables from the base of the mast to permit lowering of the ring for maintenance such as a change of bulbs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1980
    Assignee: Rowe Industries Inc., Division of Groman Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph E. Murray, Aloysius M. Mocek, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4234165
    Abstract: Lowering and hoisting apparatus for high mast luminaires. Luminaire support ring is mounted for movement along a hollow pole by a plurality of hoist cables secured at one end to a transition plate which is located inside the pole and to which is also attached a winch cable operated by a winch at the base of the pole for raising and lowering the support ring. Both the hoist cables and the winch cable are secured to the transition plate by freely rotatable ball bearing devices to prevent the cables from twisting and tangling during the raising and lowering operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1980
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Omer E. Murray, Richard L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4228488
    Abstract: The luminaire raising and lowering system includes a mast head in which a plurality of sets of pulleys are located. A carrier ring containing a number of lighting fixtures is suspended from the top head mast by a plurality of cables associated with respective ones of said sets of pulleys. Those cables are connected to a main winch cable through intermediate linkage means which compensate for differences in the length of said plurality of cables and enable the carrier effectively to "float". Means are also provided to monitor the tension on the main winch cable thereby preventing accidents due to undue slackness of the main winch cable or mispositioning of the same on the winch reel. Four cable and three cable systems are disclosed. Novel latching means are provided to take the load off of the suspension cables when the carrier is at the top of the pole in normal use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1980
    Assignee: Gar Design Research, Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Garchinsky
  • Patent number: 4220981
    Abstract: A portable floodlighting unit of the type having an extensible mast mounted on a vehicular body for transportation and collapsible into a horizontal position on the body is provided with two collapsible masts at diagonally opposite corners of the vehicle. East mast is provided with a frame carrying a battery of floodlights. Floodlighting at high intensity on all sides of the vehicle is made possible, and if desired all the lights may be positioned to light an area at one side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1980
    Assignee: Over-Lowe Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Herbert F. Koether
  • Patent number: 4198022
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cable support and guidance for use on a high elevation outdoor lighting system in which luminaires, for servicing and inspection, are lowered from an operating position at the top of a pole to a position at the base of the pole. A series of rollers are mounted at the pole top to support and guide the passage of a luminaire, elastomer-jacketed power cable which, during raising and lowering of the luminaires, moves in a path that extends vertically through the interior of the pole, over the roller arrangement and vertically to the luminaires on the exterior of the pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1980
    Assignee: Johns-Manville Corporation
    Inventors: Jackie E. Pletcher, Brady G. Johnson, Richard G. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 4195332
    Abstract: Safety device for preventing fall of pole-mounted luminaire support due to breaking of hoisting cable. Device comprises pivoted brake arm which automatically clamps and holds the support cable in the event the hoisting cable breaks during hoisting or lowering operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1980
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4149230
    Abstract: A plurality of cables having respective first ends attached to selected portions of a carrier for lights or the like pass over pulleys in the mast head atop a high pole, their other ends being coupled internally of the pole to a winch which winds the cables to raise and lower the carrier for maintenance purposes from its normal highest position. At the latter position latching members on the carrier engage corresponding latching members on the mast head and the latches normally provide the principal suspending support for the carrier. As a safety measure, the ends of the cables coupled to the carrier are provided with signals visible from the ground indicating when the various latching means have been properly engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1979
    Assignee: Gar Design Research, Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Garchinsky
  • Patent number: 4115845
    Abstract: A high mast lighting structure including a hollow mast and a light and reflector or illumination assembly adapted to be raised to the top of the mast by operation of a hoisting cable secured to the assembly. A plurality of latch-type locking and support means are positioned between the illumination assembly and a support plate secured at the top of the mast. Each locking and support means includes a first member mounted to the illumination assembly and comprising a pair of generally planar, oppositely facing spring-loaded bracket or jaw portions which normally rest in substantially parallel position. A second member of each locking and support means comprises a bayonet-like projection having outstanding cam surfaces; the second members are mounted to to the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Assignee: Kapcoa Corp.
    Inventor: Edward J. Blahut
  • Patent number: 4092707
    Abstract: A light supporting frame and a carriage therefor mounted for vertical movements on a hollow tower having an upwardly tapering hollow base which contains a power operated winding drum on which is wound a pair of frame and carriage supporting cables. A transverse support arm extends in opposite directions from the top of the tower. Cooperating latch and strike elements releasably lock the light supporting frame to the transverse support arm, and latch releasing devices are carried by the frame and carriage. Tower engaging stabilizers on the frame and carriage hold the same against lateral movement relative to the tower. The winding drum is provided with an automatic brake to stop rotation of the winding drum when power is cut off therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1978
    Inventor: Paul A. Millerbernd