Automated aisle runner
View Patent ↗An automated aisle runner includes an automated control unit and an aisle runner. The automated control unit includes a housing and a runner roller, wherein the runner roller is rotatably mounted within the housing. A fixed end of the aisle runner is connected to the runner roller, while a runner body is disposed around the runner roller, such that the runner body is wound around and unwound from the runner roller as the runner roller is rotated by a motor. A guide assembly is provided to ensure the aisle runner is extended or retracted in a straight, smooth manner, eliminating problematic tangling. A plurality of lights is positioned along the runner body, providing enhanced visual effects for the aisle runner, while a speaker provides audial effects. A microcontroller allows a user to control the color and pattern of the plurality of lights and the audio files played through the speaker.
1. An automated aisle runner comprises:
an aisle runner;
an automated control unit;
the aisle runner comprising a plurality of lights, a runner body, a fixed end, and a free end;
the automated control unit comprising a housing, a runner feed opening, a runner roller, a motor, and an actuator;
the runner feed opening traversing through the housing;
the runner roller being rotatably mounted within the housing;
the runner roller being rotatably coupled to the motor;
the actuator being operably coupled to the motor to control rotation of the runner roller;
the fixed end and the free end being terminally positioned opposite each other along the runner body;
the fixed end being adjacently connected to the runner roller; and
the runner body being disposed about the runner roller; and
the plurality of lights being perimetrically connected to the runner body.
2. The automated aisle runner as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
the automated control unit further comprising a microcontroller;
the microcontroller being positioned within the housing; and
the microcontroller being operably connected to the plurality of lights.
3. The automated aisle runner as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
a guide wheel;
the guide wheel being rotatably connected to the runner body; and
the guide wheel being positioned about the free end.
4. The automated aisle runner as claimed in claim 3 comprises:
a guide wire;
a wire roller;
the wire roller being rotatably mounted within the housing;
the guide wire being terminally coupled to the wire roller and the guide wheel; and
the guide wire being coiled around the wire roller.
5. The automated aisle runner as claimed in claim 3 comprises:
a guide track;
the guide track being adjacently connected to the housing;
the guide track being positioned adjacent to the runner feed opening; and
the guide wheel being linearly retained by the guide track.
6. The automated aisle runner as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the guide track is telescopically collapsible.
7. The automated aisle runner as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the guide track is hingedly collapsible.
8. The automated aisle runner as claimed in claim 3 comprises:
a subsequent guide wheel;
the subsequent guide wheel being rotatably connected to the runner body; and
the subsequent guide wheel being positioned opposite the guide wheel across the free end.
9. The automated aisle runner as claimed in claim 8 comprises:
a subsequent guide wire;
a wire roller;
the wire roller being rotatably mounted within the housing;
the subsequent guide wire being terminally coupled to the wire roller and the subsequent guide wheel; and
the subsequent guide wire being coiled around the wire roller.
10. The automated aisle runner as claimed in claim 8 comprises:
a subsequent guide track;
the subsequent guide track being adjacently connected to the housing;
the subsequent guide track being positioned adjacent to the runner feed opening; and
the subsequent guide wheel being linearly retained by the subsequent guide track.
11. The automated aisle runner as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the subsequent guide track is telescopically collapsible.
12. The automated aisle runner as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the subsequent guide track is hingedly collapsible.
13. The automated aisle runner as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
the aisle runner further comprising a handle; and
the handle being integrated into the runner body about the free end.
14. The automated aisle runner as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
a speaker;
the automated control unit further comprising a microcontroller;
the microcontroller being positioned within the housing; and
the microcontroller being operably connected to the speaker.
15. The automated aisle runner as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the speaker is integrated into the housing.
16. The automated aisle runner as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the speaker is wirelessly connected to the microcontroller.
17. The automated aisle runner as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a power switch.
18. The automated aisle runner as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a motion sensor.