Retractable Banner Assembly With An Interchangeable Banner Cartridge Assembly

A retractable banner assembly, comprising:

• an interchangeable banner cartridge assembly comprising a spool and a banner extensible from and retractable onto the spool;
• a housing assembly configured to removably receive and rotatably engage the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly, the housing assembly comprising a housing having an opening, and a biasing mechanism configured to have pre-torque and to be in mechanical communication with the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly such that the banner is extensible out of and retractable into the housing through the opening;
• and
• wherein the biasing mechanism is disposed at least partially within the spool when the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly is received by the housing assembly.

A retractable banner assembly, comprising:

• an interchangeable banner cartridge assembly comprising a spool and a banner extensible from and retractable onto the spool;
• a housing assembly configured to removably receive and rotatably engage the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly, the housing assembly comprising a biasing mechanism configured to have pre-torque and to be in mechanical communication with the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly;
• and
• a rotational alignment system configured to adjust the rotational position of the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly relative to the housing assembly.

An interchangeable banner cartridge assembly for use in a retractable banner assembly, comprising:

• a spool and a banner extensible from and retractable onto the spool;
• wherein the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly is configured to be removably received by and rotatably engage with a housing assembly comprising a biasing mechanism configured to have pre-torque, and in mechanical communication with the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly;
• and
• wherein the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly is further configured to be removed or replaced without substantially altering the pre-torque of the biasing mechanism.

An interchangeable banner cartridge assembly for use in a retractable banner assembly, comprising:

• a spool and a banner extensible from and retractable onto the spool;
• wherein the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly is configured to be removably received by and rotatably engage with a housing assembly comprising a biasing mechanism configured to have pre-torque, and in mechanical communication with the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly;
• and
• wherein the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly is further configured to be removed or replaced without substantial retraction tension acting on the banner when the banner is substantially retracted.

An interchangeable banner cartridge assembly for use in a retractable banner assembly, comprising:

• a spool and a banner extensible from and retractable onto the spool;
• wherein the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly is configured to be removably received by and rotatably engage with a housing assembly comprising a biasing mechanism configured to have pre-torque, and in mechanical communication with the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly;
• and
• wherein the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly is further configured to be removed or replaced without substantial torque acting on the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly when the banner is substantially retracted.

In a retractable banner assembly, a method of removing or inserting an interchangeable banner cartridge assembly comprising a spool and a banner extensible from and retractable onto the spool, the method comprising:

• providing a housing assembly configured to removably receive and rotatably engage the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly, the housing assembly comprising a biasing mechanism configured to be in mechanical communication with the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly;
• and
• removing or inserting the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly,
• wherein the step of removing or inserting is performed by axially disengaging or engaging the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly relative to the housing assembly without rotating the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly relative to the housing assembly.

In a retractable banner assembly, a method of removing or inserting an interchangeable banner cartridge assembly comprising a spool and a banner extensible from and retractable onto the spool, the method comprising:

• providing a housing assembly configured to removably receive and rotatably engage the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly, the housing assembly comprising a biasing mechanism configured to have pre-torque and to be in mechanical communication with the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly;
• and
• removing or inserting the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly,
• wherein the step of removing or inserting is performed without substantial retraction tension acting on the banner when the banner is substantially retracted.

In a retractable banner assembly, a method of removing or inserting an interchangeable banner cartridge assembly comprising a spool and a banner extensible from and retractable onto the spool, the method comprising:

• providing a housing assembly configured to removably receive and rotatably engage the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly, the housing assembly comprising a biasing mechanism configured to have pre-torque and to be in mechanical communication with the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly;
• and
• removing or inserting the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly,
• wherein the step of removing or inserting is performed without substantial torque acting on the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly when the banner is substantially retracted.

A method of assembling a retractable banner assembly, the method comprising:

• providing an interchangeable banner cartridge assembly comprising a spool and banner extensible from and retractable onto the spool;
• providing a housing assembly configured to removably receive and rotatably engage the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly, the housing assembly comprising a biasing mechanism configured to have pre-torque and to be in mechanical communication with the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly;
• inserting the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly into the housing assembly;
• and
• operatively coupling the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly to the biasing mechanism without substantially altering the pre-torque of the biasing mechanism.

A method of assembling a retractable banner assembly, the method comprising:

• providing an interchangeable banner cartridge assembly comprising a spool and banner extensible from and retractable onto the spool;
• providing a housing assembly configured to removably receive and rotatably engage the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly, the housing assembly comprising a biasing mechanism configured to be in mechanical communication with the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly;
• inserting the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly into the housing assembly;
• and
• operatively coupling the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly to the biasing mechanism
• wherein the operatively coupling is performed without a threaded connection between the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly and the biasing mechanism.

A method of assembling a retractable banner assembly, the method comprising:

• providing an interchangeable banner cartridge assembly comprising a spool and banner extensible from and retractable onto the spool;
• providing a housing assembly configured to removably receive and rotatably engage the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly, the housing assembly comprising a biasing mechanism configured to be in mechanical communication with the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly;
• inserting the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly into the housing assembly;
• and
• operatively coupling the interchangeable banner cartridge assembly to the biasing mechanism such that the banner is extensible with a bottom edge of the banner positioned in proximity to a walking surface.