Projector Ceiling Hook Mount With Lock Lever and Hidden Cables

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ceiling mounts for projectors and similar pendant structures lack ease and safety in positioning and removal, often requiring complex fixation and visibility of cables.

Innovation Solution

A ceiling mount with a hook and lock lever mechanism that allows easy hanging and secure attachment of projectors, featuring a tubular rod for cable concealment and a lock lever with a biasing element for safe handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a simple hook structure is used for mounting projectors, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability is worsened due to lack of secure locking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of hangingVSAvoidsecure attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lock lever is designed to be movable between a locked position (where it blocks the handle receiving area) and an unlocked position (where it allows handle insertion and removal). This dynamic element enables the hook to transition from a simple hanging structure to a secure locked connection, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliable attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If cables are exposed outside the mount structure, then ease of manufacture is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to visibility and potential safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable routingVSAvoidcable visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cable guide is integrated within the hollow interior of the rod structure, nesting the cable routing function inside the existing mount body. This eliminates the need for separate external cable management components while hiding cables from view, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while removing the harmful effect of visible cables.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If a lock lever mechanism is added to secure the projector, then reliability is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure lockingVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lock lever is integrated directly into the hook structure, with the lever forming part of the same structural assembly. The biased element is incorporated within the hook body, and the handle receiving area is formed as part of the hook geometry. This merging of multiple functions into a single integrated component achieves secure locking while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If the short arm blocks access to the handle receiving area in the locking position, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to additional steps required for release

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of accidental removalVSAvoidhandle removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The long arm of the lock lever serves as an intermediary element that provides a dedicated interface for the user to interact with the locking mechanism. By providing this external actuation point, the user can easily push the lock lever to the unlocked position without needing to manipulate the handle directly against the blocked short arm, thus maintaining both security and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Facilitates simple and safe positioning and removal of projectors, while hiding cables, enhancing user safety and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

the lock lever (5) has a short arm (16) blocking access to a handle receiving area (4A) of the hook (4) in the locking position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorsional spring: Torsion Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3961081B1Ceiling mount
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 ACTIVE CUES BV
  • EP3961081B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3961081B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3961081B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Ceiling mount (1) for a pendant device, such as a projector (23), with a handle (24). The ceiling mount comprises a hook (4) for suspending the handle. The hook may comprise a lock lever (5) which is moveable between a locking position and a release position, and a biasing element (15), such as a torsional spring, biasing the lock lever towards the locking position. The lock lever may for example have a short arm (16) blocking access to the handle receiving area of the hook in the locking position, the short arm being at a distance from the handle during rotation of the lock lever (5) between the locking position and the release position.