Projector lift system

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention is directed to a ceiling mount projector lift system for moving audio/visual equipment between an operating position rigidly secured to the projector lift system and a lowered position for installation and maintenance.
A motorized winch assembly is retained in a housing attached to the ceiling.
The winch assembly has at least one cable cylinder for winding and unwinding a cable disposed on the cylinder.
An equipment mounting adapter is connected to the distal end of the cable for retaining the audio/visual equipment.
A locking latch assembly is provided for releasably connecting the equipment mounting adapter rigidly to the housing so that the audio/visual equipment is retained to the ceiling when in the raised position.
A switch mechanism may be provided for interrupting power to the motorized winch assembly when the locking latch assembly is engaged.
The housing preferably includes a ceiling pole mount assembly for receiving a threaded pipe attached to the ceiling.
The ceiling pole mount assembly permits adjustment of the yaw of the audio/visual equipment.
A setscrew is provided on the ceiling pole mount assembly for retaining the audio/visual equipment in a particular location.
The housing also preferably includes a plurality of slotted openings for adjusting the pitch and a height adjustment bolt for adjusting the roll of the audio/visual equipment.
A preferred embodiment of the motorized winch assembly includes at least one electric motor engaged with the cable cylinder.
A first capacitor is connected to the electric motor for unwinding the cable from the cable cylinder.
A second capacitor is combined with the first capacitor to provide additional power to the electric motor for winding the cable onto the cable cylinder so that heat generation by the motor is minimized.
A floating pinch roller is provided for engagement with the cable cylinder.
In a preferred embodiment, the pinch roller is driven by the electric motor only during unwinding of the cable