IP Library Granted Patent US 7,909,641
Granted Patent B1
US 7,909,641 · App. 12/823,479 · Granted Mar 22, 2011

Cable management systems for product display

Assignee: Merchandising Technologies, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,909,641
App. No.
12/823,479
Granted
Mar 22, 2011
Kind
B1
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 (12)

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.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT R/FS 030937/0416 AND 032608/0623 Recorded Aug 19, 2016
From: FIRTH THIRD BANK
To: MOBILE TECH, INC.
Reel/Frame 039752/0495 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 8, 2016
From: MOBILE TECH, INC.
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 039370/0989 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 13, 2013
From: MOBILE TECH, INC.
To: CAPITALSOUTH PARTNERS SBIC FUND III, L.P.
Reel/Frame 031005/0148 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 3, 2013
From: MERCHANDISING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: MOBILE TECH, INC.
Reel/Frame 030937/0993 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 1, 2013
From: MOBILE TECH, INC.
To: FIFTH THIRD BANK
Reel/Frame 030937/0416 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 18, 2010
From: HENSON, DONALD; NIDEROST, DONALD; PEACOCK, JAMES LARRY
To: MERCHANDISING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 024854/0199 →
Continuity (1)
Continuation 12611432 · Nov 3, 2009