US Patent 7165688 Retractable hanging apparatus

A retractable hanging apparatus that includes an engagement structure, such as a bar, upon which an article is hung or secured, with the engagement structure being suspended by one or more lines that are attached to a spring-biased roller assembly rotatably mounted between two brackets. The roller assembly may be mounted to brackets alone or disposed inside a housing structure. The lines are secured to a roller assembly so that the article may be lowered to a particular height or may, through a short but gentle pull of the engagement means, be elevated as desired. A braking system for preventing sudden retraction of the lines is also described.