CA1307641C - Folding display frame - Google Patents

Folding display frame

Info

Publication number
CA1307641C
CA1307641C CA000553946A CA553946A CA1307641C CA 1307641 C CA1307641 C CA 1307641C CA 000553946 A CA000553946 A CA 000553946A CA 553946 A CA553946 A CA 553946A CA 1307641 C CA1307641 C CA 1307641C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
hub
flanges
rods
pair
hubs
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
CA000553946A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
William John Wichman
Robert Wayne Patterson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
DISPLAY STRUCTURES Inc
Original Assignee
William John Wichman
Robert Wayne Patterson
Display Structures, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by William John Wichman, Robert Wayne Patterson, Display Structures, Inc. filed Critical William John Wichman
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1307641C publication Critical patent/CA1307641C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04BGENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/343Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport
    • E04B1/344Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport with hinged parts
    • E04B1/3441Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport with hinged parts with articulated bar-shaped elements
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47FSPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F5/00Show stands, hangers, or shelves characterised by their constructional features
    • A47F5/10Adjustable or foldable or dismountable display stands
    • A47F5/13Adjustable or foldable or dismountable display stands made of tubes or wire
    • GPHYSICS
    • G09EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09FDISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F15/00Boards, hoardings, pillars, or like structures for notices, placards, posters, or the like
    • G09F15/0068Modular articulated structures, e.g. stands, and articulation means therefor

Abstract

FOLDING DISPLAY FRAME
Abstract of the Disclosure A collapsible framework constructed of rods pivotally joined at their ends to hubs to form a self-standing unit when expanded and to fold into a small set of nearly parallel rods when folded. The hubs are designed to pivotally join the ends of four rods, with the plane defined by the pivot axes of one pair of opposing rods being offset from the plane defined by the pivot axes of the other pair of opposed rods attached to the same hub. A stab connection latch locks two hubs together and secures the framework in the expanded position. Folding channel bars are attached to knobs on vertically aligned hubs by key-slots, the key-slots of one channel bar being of progressively shorter length going from the top-most to the bottom-most of the vertically aligned hubs to which the bar is attached.

Description

.. ..

.

W82:17747:M~S:WGM:nap -1-FOLDING DISPL~Y FRAME

Th.is invention relates to folding display frames, and more particularly, ~s con~erned with a hub design for interconnecting pivotally joined xods into a frame.

Three-dimensional ~rameworks are well known in which a plurality of rod membars are pi~otally connected togethPr to permit folding the framework into a compact closed form in which the rod members lie substantially parallel to each other. Such folding: ~rameworks have been used ~or racks to support covers,: panels, and~th like, some in dvme-shapèd snclosures, in:flat~or curved display units, and in other types o~ rigid structures.~ Except where the framework : : 25 is:assembled in a substantially permanent structure, the rod : members are pivotally joined a~ their e~ds to some type of hub so that the rods can be rota~ed r~lati~e to each : other as ~he framework is adjusted between its open extended configuration and its closed compa~t storage configuration.
~30 Examples of such prior art folding frameworks are found in UnS~ :paten~s 4,~71,548, 4,479,340; 4,~12,097, 4,580,375 and ~ 4 ~ 276 t 726 ~
; One of the objectives o~ designing such frameworks is ~o make the structure light and compact in its folded condition to enhance the transportat~on and storage when the framework is not in use. At -the same time, the framework, when fully extended into its useful configuration, must be strong and fairly rigid. The framework must not only he s-trong enough to give adequate support, but must withstand abuse, particularly when being folded and erected.
Large diameter thin-walled metal tubes normally pxovide maximum strength--to-weiyht ratios. However, the hubs to which such tubes are pivotally joined must be made light and compact to reduce the space required by the hubs when they are brought together i.n the collapsed configuration of the framework. In the past, attempts to utilize small hubs and thin, ~olid rods have resulted in a relatively fragile structure whereas use of larger diameter tubular rods resulted in bulkier and heavier hubs.

The present invention is directed to an improved framework design incorporating a unique hub that permits larger diameter thin-walled -tubes to be pivotally connected in a strong, rigid joint. At the same time, the hub is very compact and light weight. An added advantage of the present hub design is that it allows rod members of unequal length to be incorporated into the framework's array so that the height of the array may be, for example, less than the width while still permitting the structure to be folded effec-tively.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a folding framework for use as a folding display frame movable between an open expanded position forming a three-dimensional array of compartments in a display-supporting ~rame and a compact closed form for storage, the framework comprising:

~9:

-`` 1 30764 1 a plurality of pairs of rods, each pair of rods being pivotally joined -to each other at an intermediate point;
a plurality of hubs, the respective ends of each rod being pivotally joined to corresponding ones of said hubs, each hub having a plurality of said rods pivotally joined thereto;
the pivotal connection of each rod to a hub providing rotation of the rod relative to the hub about a corresponding single axis of revolution;
rods connected to any one hub being rotatable about said single axis of revolution from a closed position in which all the rods are substantially parallel to each other to an open position in which the rods radiate outwardly from each other;
each hub having a base plate with fixed flanges projecting therefrom for pivotally supporting a first pair of said rods secured to a corresponding first pair of said flanges on opposite sides of a central axis of the hub and a second pair of ~aid rods pivotally connected to a corresponding second pair of said flanges on opposite sides of the central axis of the hub, said second flanges extending at an angle to said first flanges;
the pair of first flanges having corresponding fixed f:irst bearing surfaces lying substantially on a first axis passing essentially through the central axis of the hub, the pair of second~flanges having corresponding fixed second bearing surfaces lying ~ubstantially on a second axis passing essentially through the central axis of the hub and extending at said anqle to said first axls;
;~ the ends of the first rods pivotally secured to said first bearing surfaces being rotatable thereon about spaced apart fixed axes of revolution extending substantially parallel to each other and lying substantially in a first plane, the ends of the second - 3a -rods pivotally secured to said second bearing surfaces being rotatable thereon about spaced apart fixed axes of evolution extending substan-tially parallel to each other ancl lying subs-tantially in a second plane which is spaced outwardly from the base plate by an offset dis-tance greater than said first plane and which lies substan-tially parallel to the first plane.

.1 For a better understanding of the invention reference should be made to the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the frame in expanded ~position;
FIG. 2 is a top view of.the expanded frame;
FIG. 3 is a top view of a frame hub;
FIG. 4 is a side view of a frame hub;
FIG. 5 is a front view of a Prame hub;
10FIG~ 6 iæ a partial view in perspective showing the ~rame latching mechanism;
FIG. 7 is a detailed partial viaw of the ~ram2 in a nearly collapsed position:
FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7 but showing an alternat~ve construction:
FIG. ~ shows the frame in the folded or collapsed : position:
FIG. 10 is a detailed plan view of a folding channel bar; and ~20 FIG. 11 shows the channel bar in its folded condition.

, ---:

: 25 ~:

: ~ :

-~ .

~ eferring ko FIG. 1 in detail, the numeral 10 indicates generally a folding ~ramework shown in its open or expanded position. The framework is constructed o~ a plurality o~
5 pairs of rods, in the form of thin-wallQd metal tubes, such as indicated at 12 and 14, the rods of each pair being pivotally joined together by a hinge pin 16. The hinge pins 16 are located hetween the ends of the rods, allowing the rods to swivel with xespect to each other in scissors-like fashion. These rod pairs are joined to form a grid-like framework, with the multiple pairs of rods being arranged in vertical columns and horizontal rows.
~he ends of the rods are joined by a plurality of identical hubs 18. As best shown ln FIGS. 1 and 2, the frameworX in the expanded or open condition comprises a plurality` of vertical aolumns, five of which are indicated respectively at ~0, 22, 24, 26 and 28. These are joined by a plurality of horizontal rows, four of which are indicated ~t 30, 32, 34 and 36. Each of the rows, as best shown in the top view of FIG. 2, is made up of pairs of rods 12 and 14 in which the pivot connection 16 is located sligAtly off the : :center or mid position between the ends of its respective rods. Since all horizontal rods are of egual length, this causes the ~our pairs of rods ioined in each row to assume a slightly arcuate shape. This shape gives more stability :~ to~the~frame when it is resting on the floor or some other supporting surfaca.
: The framework is locked in the expanded position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by a suitable latch mechanism which anchors one or more pairs of adjacent hubs 18' and 18'' together. A preferred latch for this purpose .is shown in det.a;1 in FIG. 6. One hub of the pair, such as indicated at 18 , has a latch rod 40 which projects toward the adjacent hub 18 " of the pair. As the framework is expanded to its open position by moving the pairs o~ hubs 1~' and 18 "

1 3076~1 1 t~ward each other, the latch rod 40 engages a latch receptacle 42 which is rigidly secured to the hub 18 ".
The latch rod 40 enters a hole or bore 44 in the end of the latch receptacle 42 where the tapered end 46 of the rod 40 engages a spring-loaded latch pawl 48~ As the latch rod is fully inserted into the bore 44, the latch pawl engages a notch 50 in the rod, securely locking the rod 40 in position in the latch receptacle 42. The pawl, which is pivotally supported to the receptacle by a pin 52 can be disengaged from the notch 50 to release the latch by pushing down on the opposite end 54 of the latch pawl 48. The pawl is urged into engagement with the notch 50 by a suitable spring 51. The latch mechanism shown in FIG. 6 need only be provided for one pair of hubs, preferably near the center of the framework grid. If greater rigidity is required, additional pairs of hubs can be provided with such a latch mechanism.
With the latch mechanisins released, the entire framework can be collapsed or folded into the storage condition, as shown in FIG. 3. In this positionl the two rods 12 and 14 in each pair of such rods are rotated relative to each other~about the connecting pivot 16, allowing each respective pair of hubs 18' and 18 " to be msved apart until the rods 12 ro~ate almost 180 degrees rela~ive to the other rods 14 25~ of each pair. In the fully folded position, all the hubs 18' move into side-by-side engagement with each other, and all the hubs 18 " also move into engagement with each :
other. In this way, the hubs are nested in two groups, each group, occupying an area which is limited by the size of the hubs.
In order to achieve nesting in the minimum space and make the folded framework as compact as psssiblP, a unique hub is provided which allows the hub to be substantially reduced in size without sacrificing rigidity and strength of the ~ramework. At the same time, t~Q hub design of the 1 present invention provides for ease of assembly in pivotally attaching the rods to the hubs. Details of the hub design are shown more clearly in FIGS. 3-5.
Referring to these Figures, the hub 18 is preferably molded of a suitable plastic,material, but can be die-cast or otherwise formed of ligh~ weight metal. The hub is formed with a base plate 60 which is generally square in outline with the corners rounded as shown in FIG. 5, and has a flat outer surface 62 from which projects a knob or flanged pin 64. The knob 64 is used to mount various auxiliary devices to the ~ramework .
The top surface 65 of the hu~ base plate 60 has four flanges or h.inge plates 66, ~8, 70 and 72 proj ecting perpendicularly therefrom. These. flanges are offset from each other, as viewed in FIG. 5, so that each flange provides a flat surface, indicated respectively at 74, 76, 78 and 80. These surfaces lie in two mutually perpendicular planes.
Thus, the suxfaces 76 and 80 lie in a first common plane passing through the central axis 82 of the hub, while the surfaces 74 and 78 lie in a second common plane, also passing through the central axis 82 of the hub. The flanges 68 and 72 project away from the base plate 60 a distance substantially twice that of the flanges 66 and 70. The outer projecting end~ of the flanges 68 and 72, which are hereinaft~r referred to as "high" flanges, intersect in an enlarged central portion 84 having an opening or hole 8~ into which the latch rod 40 or latch reseptacle 42 may be press-fitted or otherwise secured. High flanges 68 and ;2 are provided with hoIes 88 and 90 adapted to receive a pivot pin or rivet 91 which pivotally secures the end of a tubular rod to the hub flange. The axes of the holes 88 and 90 are parallel to each other and lie in a common plane.
Similarly, the flange5 66 and 70, referred to as the "low" flanges of the hub, are provid~d with holes 92 and 94 that are adapted to recelve the hing~ pins or rivets 91 1 associated with additional tubular rods. The axes of the holes 92 and 94 are parallel to each other and lie in a common plane. The plane of the holes g2 and 9g is offset from the plane of the holes 88 and 90 by a distance "A".
The backsideS of the high flanges 68 and 72 are undercut, as indicated at 96 and 98, resp.ectively, to provide clearance for the ends of the rods pivotally attached to the low flanges as tha rods are rotated about the axes of the holes 92 and 94.
As best seen in FIG. 6, the high and low flange arrangement of each hub, as described above, allows for the ends of four relatively laxge tubular rods to be pivotally attached to each hub by rivets 91. The offset l'A" allows ready access to all the rivets 91 of each hub by suitable riveting equipment. Also, the flange configuration allows the outer perimeter o~ the base plate 60 to he made approximately equal to twice the diameter of the tubular rods, thus permitting the hubs to be made extremely compact and to nest against each other in two groups in the folded condition of the framework, as i~lustrated in FIG. 9.
Another advantage of the high, low flange arrangement : o~ the hubs is that the rods in:the horizontal rows can be of~a dif~erent length than the rods in the vertical columns while still permitting the hubs~ to nest in two coplanar ~gxoups when the framework is in its folded:position. This feature can be bsst~understood by reference to FIG. 7, : which shows a portion:of the ~ramework in a~substantially folded: position. As the framework is expanded into its .
open position by moving the hubs 18' toward the hubs 18 ", the pair of rods 12' and 14' rotate into the horizontal : rows:as shown in FIG. 1 while:the rods 12 " and 14 " rotate into the vertical columns of the framework. Thus, the spacing between the hubs~in the horizontal rows is determined by the length o~ the rods 12' and 14' while the distance ~

1 between the hubs in the vertical columns is det~rmined by the length of the rods 12 " and 14'l. If, as shown in FIG. 7, all of the horizontal rods 12' and 14' are pivotally joined to th~ low flanges of the hubs 18, and all the 5 vertical rods 12 " and 14 " are pivotally connected to the high flanges of the hub 18,.it becomes necessary for the vertical rods to be made shorter in length than the horizontal rods in order for the hubs in each of the two folded groups (see Fig. 9) to be coplanar. In fact, as seen in ~IG. 7, the rods 12 " and 14 " are shor~er, by an amount equal to 2A, than the hori~ontal rods 12i and 14'.
As a result, when the framework is expanded to the open position, the openings or cubicles are not square but are rectangular, with the vertical dimension of each cubicle being smaller than the horizontal dimension by an amount substantially equal to 2A. Thus, the high, low flange arrangement of the hubs allows the designer to modify the width-to-height ratio o~ the erected or expanded framework.
It should be noted that if it is d~sired to construct the framework with all of the rods being of identical length, this can be accomplished merely by rotating the hubs-18' 90~:relative to the hubs 18~ This causes the high flange :~ of the hubs 18:' to be aligned with a low flange of the hubs~lB " so that e~ery rod is;pivotally Joined at one end to a~ low flange and at the other end is pivotally joined to a high flange. This aIternative arrangement is shown :
: in FIG. 8. : : : :
In order to attach panels of heavy fabric or other material~ to:the face of the framework after it is erected, : 30 it is desirable~to attach~ vertical channel bars to the :: ~ : : framework along each of the~vertical rows o~ rods. In ~he : past,~these channel bars have~been made up in individual sections corresponding to the height of each cubicle and the frame. The one feature of the present invention is an improved channel bar in which the ~ections are hinged ( 1 together so that the channel bar can be attached as a unit or folded for storage. The channel bar is shown in FIGS.
10 and 11 and includes three sections 120, 122and 124. The sections 120 and122 of the channel bar are joined by a link 126 pivotally attached to a hinged member lZ8 secured to the bar section 120 and a hinged member 130 secured to one end o~ the bar section 122. Similarly, the channel bar section 122 is connected to the channel bar section 124 by a hinge including a link 132pivotally attached to a hinged plate 134 secured to the channel bar section122 and a hinged ~late 136secured to the chan,nel bar section 12~. The link 126 is longer than the link 132, allowing the channel bar section 122 to be folded between the channel bar sections 122and 120 in the manner shown in F~G. 11.
The three sections o~ the channel bar are attached to the front of the framework by four key slots indicated at 100, 102, 104 and 106. ~he key slots 102 and 104 are formed in the hinged members 130 and136 respectively whila the key slots 100 and 106 are formed in blocks 108 and 110 secured to the respective ends of the channel bar. The key slots are open at one end and are arranged to engaye knobs 64 on the front of the hubs of the ~ramework. To simplify the assembly of the channel bar to the framework, the key slots are made progressively shorter from the top to~ t~e bottom of the channel bar as the key slot 100 is longer than the slot 102/ the key slot 102 is lonaer than the slot 104, and the key slot 104 is longer than the slot 106. This simplifies the assembly of the framework and channel bars since the keys slots can be engaged with one 30~ knob at a time starting ak the top. Thus/ with the key ~lot 100 ~t the top of the channel bar engaged with the top knob of a column, the channel bar assembly can be lifted sufficiently to engage the key slot 102 at the n~xt lower knob without disengaging the longer key slot 100.
Similarly, the key slot 104 can be èngaged with a knob 1 3076~1 1 without disengaging the slot 102. When so attached to the ~rame, the channel bars form a continuous vertical strip to which panels can be attached for covering the framework with a smooth, continuous display surface.
From the above description, it will be recognized that the improved display framework has been provided which can be made very compact and lightweight.

:
: ~25 ~ 30 ::

' _.

Claims (34)

1. A folding framework for use as a folding display frame movable between an open expanded position forming a three-dimensional array of cubicles in a display-supporting frame and a compact closed form for storage, the framework comprising:
a plurality of pairs of rods, each pair of rods being pivotally joined to each other at an intermediate point;
a plurality of hubs, the respective ends of each rod being pivotally joined to corresponding ones os said hubs, each hub having a plurality of said rods pivotally joined thereto;
the pivotal connection of each rod to a hub providing rotation of the rod relative to the hub about a corresponding single axis of revolution;
rods connected to any one hub being rotatable about said single axis of revolution from a closed position in which all the rods are substantially parallel to each other to an open position in which the rods radiate outwardly from each other;
each hub having a base plate with fixed flanges projecting therefrom for pivotally supporting a first pair of said rods secured to a corresponding first pair of said flanges on opposite sides of a central axis of the hub and a second pair of said rods pivotally connected to a corresponding second pair of said flanges on opposite sides of the central axis of the hub, said second flanges extending substantially perpendicularly to said first flanges;
the pair of first flanges having corresponding fixed first bearing surfaces lying substantially on a first axis passing essentially through the central axis of the hub, the pair of second flanges having corresponding fixed second bearing surfaces lying substantially on a second axis passing essentially through the central axis of the hub and extending substantially perpendicularly to said first axis;
the ends of the first rods pivotally secured to said first bearing surfaces being rotatable thereon about spaced apart fixed axis of revolution extending substantially parallel to each other and lying substantially in a first plane, the ends of the second rods pivotally secured to said second bearing surfaces being rotatable thereon about spaced apart fixed axis of revolution extending substantially parallel to each other and lying substantially in a second plane which is spaced outwardly from the base plate by an offset distance greater than said first plane and which lies substantially parallel to the first plane.
2. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein all the rods are of substantially equal length and each rod is connected at one end at a pivotal connection in said first plane of the associated hub and is connected at the other end at a pivotal connection in said second plane of the associated hub.
3. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rods are of a first length or a second length, the difference in length being twice the distance between said first and second planes.
4. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein, in said open position, the rods connected to each hub extend outwardly substantially perpendicularly to each other, whereby the rods and associated hubs form a rectangular lattice.
5. Apparatus of claim 2 wherein, in said open position, the rods connected to each hub extend outwardly substantially perpendicularly to each other, whereby the rods and associated hubs form a substantially square shaped lattice.
6. Apparatus of claim 3 wherein, in said open position, the rods connected to each hub extend outwardly substantially perpendicularly to each other, whereby the rods and associated hubs form a rectangularly shaped lattice.
7. Apparatus of claim 1 further including stab connector means mounted on at least one pair of hubs, the stab connector means including a male member rigidly mounted on and projecting from one of said pair of hubs, and a female member rigidly mounted on and projecting from the other of said pair of hubs, the make and female members telescopically engaging when the hubs are moved into the open position of the folding frame, and a releasable catch on one of said members engaging the other of said members to lock the telescopically engaged members together.
8. Apparatus of claim 1 in which the rods are tubular metal rods with an outside diameter approximately one half the width of the hub.
9. Apparatus of claim 1 in which the second pair of flanges project outwardly from the base plate of the hub by an extended distance in which the second plane is at least twice the distance from the base plate than the first plane, whereby the framework can be moved to an open position defining short radius of curvature.
10. Apparatus of claim 9 in which the pair of second flanges includes multiple pivot points to which the second rods can be selectively attached on each second flange, said pivot points on each flange comprising spaced apart holes on each second flange progressing outwardly from the base plate.
11. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the spacing between the first and second flanges allows each base plate to be sufficiently compact in size while its folded rods avoid interference with each other sufficiently so that the hubs can nest against each other in the closed condition of the framework.
12. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rods pivotally attached to the first flanges of each hub are longer than the rods pivotally attached to the second flanges of each hub, to thereby form a rectangular lattice.
13. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rods pivotally attached to the first flanges of a first hub are pivotally secured at their opposite ends to corresponding second flanges of a second hub, and in which the rods pivotally attached to the second flanges of a first hub are pivotally secured at their opposite ends to corresponding first flanges of said second hub, to thereby form a substantially square shaped lattice in the open condition of the framework.
14. Apparatus of claim 1 in which the first flanges are offset from one another on opposite sides of the central axis, and the second flanges are offset from one another on opposite sides of the central axis.
15. In a folding open framework for use as a folding display frame movable between an open expanded position forming a three-dimensional array of cubicles in a display-supporting frame and a compact closed form for storage, the framework comprising a plurality of pivotally joined pairs of rod members in which four of said pairs of rod members are pivotally joined at their ends by eight hub members to form four sides of a rectangular cubicle having a hub at each of the eight corners of the cubicle, a plurality of said cubicles forming an array with adjoining cubicles sharing a common pair of rod members and the associated four hub members at each of the ends of the pair of rod members, the improvement comprising:
each hub member having a base plate with fixed flanges projecting therefrom for supporting a first pair of said rod members pivotally secured to a corresponding first pair of flanges on opposite sides of a central axis of the hub and a second pair of said rod members pivotally secured to a corresponding second pair of said flanges on opposite sides of the central axis of the hub, said second flanges extending substantially perpendicularly to said first flanges;
the pair of first flanges having corresponding fixed first bearing surfaces lying substantially on a first axis passing essentially through the central axis of the hub r the pair of second flanges having corresponding fixed second bearing surfaces lying substantially on a second axis of the hub and extending substantially perpendicularly to the first axis;
the ends of the first rod members pivotally secured to the first bearing surfaces being rotatable thereon about spaced apart fixed axis of revolution extending substantially parallel to each other and lying substantially in a first plane, the ends of the second rod members pivotally secured to said second bearing surfaces being rotatable thereon about spaced apart fixed axis of revolution extending substantially parallel to each other and lying substantially in a second plane which is spaced outwardly from the base plate by an offset distance greater than said first plane and which lies substantially parallel to said first plane.
16. Apparatus of claim 15 wherein the rod members pivotally attached to the first of said hub flanges are longer than the rod members pivotally attached to the second of said hub flanges, the difference in length being equal to twice the amount of offset of the associated axes of revolution.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the rod members are all of substantially equal length.
18. Apparatus of claim 15 further including stab connector means mounted on at least one pair of hubs, the stab connector means including a male member rigidly mounted on and projecting from one of said pair of hubs and a female member rigidly mounted on and projecting from the other of said pair of hubs, the make and female members telescopically engaging when the hubs are moved into the open position of the folding frame, and a releasable catch on one of said members engaging the other of said members to lock the telescopically engaged members together.
19. Apparatus of claim 15 wherein the hubs on at least one side of the framework include a flanged knob projecting therefrom, a bar having a plurality of key slots spaced along the bar at intervals corresponding to the distance between knobs, for engaging the knobs of aligned hubs, whereby the bar is removably secured to a plurality of hubs, each successive key slot being shorter in length than the adjacent key slot, whereby the bar can be engaged one knob at a time to the aligned hubs.
20. Apparatus of claim 19 wherein the bar includes a plurality of sections and hinge means securing each section to an adjacent section, whereby the bar can be folded when not secured to the knobs.
21. Apparatus according to claim 20 in which the hinge means have adjustable friction means for controllably adjusting the friction of the hinge joint about with the sections of the bar fold.
22. Apparatus of claim 15 in which the spacing between the first and second flanges allows each base plate to be sufficiently compact in size while its folded rod members avoid interference with each other sufficiently so that the hubs can nest against each other in the closed condition of the framework.
23. Apparatus of claim 15 wherein the rod members pivotally attached to the first flanges of each hub are longer than the rod members pivotally attached to the second flanges of each hub to form a rectangular lattice.
24. Apparatus of claim 15 wherein the rod members pivotally attached to the first flanges of a first hub are pivotally secured at their opposite ends to corresponding second flanges of a second hub, and in the rods pivotally attached to the second flanges of a first hub are pivotally secured at their opposite ends to corresponding first flanges of said second hub to form a substantially square shaped lattice in the open configuration of the framework.
25. Apparatus of claim 15 in which the first flanges are offset from one another on opposite sides of the central axis, and the second flanges are offset from one another on opposite sides of the central axis.
26. Apparatus of claim 15 in which the rods are tubular metal rods with an outside diameter approximately one half the width of the hub.
27. Apparatus of claim 15 in which the second pair of flanges project outwardly from the base plate of the hub by an extended distance in which the second plane is at least twice the distance from the base plate than the first plane, whereby the framework can be moved to an open position defining a short radius of curvature.
28. Apparatus of claim 27 in which a pair of second flanges includes multiple pivot points to which the second rods can be selectively attached on each second flange, said pivot points on each flange comprising spaced apart holes on each second flange progressing outwardly from the base plate.
29. A folding framework for use as a folding display frame movable between an open expanded position forming a three-dimensional array of compartments in a display-supporting frame and a compact closed form for storage, the framework comprising:
a plurality of pairs of rods, each pair of rods being pivotally joined to each other at an intermediate point;
a plurality of hubs, the respective ends of each rod being pivotally joined to corresponding ones of said hubs, each hub having a plurality of said rods pivotally joined thereto;
the pivotal connection of each rod to a hub providing rotation of the rod relative to the hub about a corresponding single axis of revolution, rods connected to any one hub being rotatable about said single axis of revolution from a closed position in which all the rods are substantially parallel to each other to an open position in which the rods radiate outwardly from each other;
each hub having a base plate with fixed flanges projecting therefrom for pivotally supporting a first pair of aid rods secured to a corresponding first pair of said flanges on opposite sides of a central axis of the hub and a second pair of said rods pivotally connected to a corresponding second pair of said flanges on opposite sides of the central axis of the hub, said second flanges extending at an angle to said first flanges;
the pair of first flanges having corresponding fixed first bearing surfaces lying substantially on a first axis passing essentially through the central axis of the hub, the pair of second flanges having corresponding fixed second bearing surfaces lying substantially on a second axis passing essentially through the central axis of the hub and extending at said angle to said first axis;
the ends of the first rods pivotally secured to said first bearing surfaces being rotatable thereon about spaced apart fixed axes of revolution extending substantially parallel to each other and lying substantially in a first plane, the ends of the second rods pivotally secured to said second bearing surfaces being rotatable thereon about spaced apart fixed axes of revolution extending substantially parallel to each other and lying substantially in a second plane which is spaced outwardly from the base plate by an offset distance greater than said first plane and which lies substantially parallel to the first plane.
30. Apparatus of claim 29 in which the second pair of flanges project outwardly from the base plate of the hub by an extended distance in which the second plane is at least twice the distance from the base plate than the first plane, whereby the framework can be moved to an open position defining a short radius of curvature.
31. Apparatus of claim 30 in which the pair of second flanges includes multiple pivot points to which the second rods can be selectively attached on each second flange, said pivot points on each flange comprising spaced apart holes on each second flange progressing outwardly from the base plate.
32. Apparatus of claim 29 wherein the hubs on at least one side of the framework include a flanged knob projecting therefrom, a bar having a plurality of key slots spaced along the bar at intervals corresponding to the distance between knobs, for engaging the knobs of aligned hubs, whereby the bar is removably secured to a plurality of hubs, each successive key slot being shorter in length than the adjacent key slot, whereby the bar can be engaged one knob at a time to the aligned hubs.
33. Apparatus of claim 32 wherein the bar includes a plurality of sections and hinge means securing each section to an adjacent section, whereby the bar can be folded when not secured to the knobs.
34. Apparatus according to claim 33 in which the hinge means have adjustable friction means for controllably adjusting the friction of the hinge joint about with the sections of the bar fold.
CA000553946A 1986-12-10 1987-12-09 Folding display frame Expired - Lifetime CA1307641C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US94001986A 1986-12-10 1986-12-10
US940,019 1987-12-10

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000616400A Division CA1320327C (en) 1986-12-10 1992-06-09 Folding display frame and attachment system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1307641C true CA1307641C (en) 1992-09-22

Family

ID=25474086

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000553946A Expired - Lifetime CA1307641C (en) 1986-12-10 1987-12-09 Folding display frame
CA000616400A Expired - Fee Related CA1320327C (en) 1986-12-10 1992-06-09 Folding display frame and attachment system

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000616400A Expired - Fee Related CA1320327C (en) 1986-12-10 1992-06-09 Folding display frame and attachment system

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (2) EP0271088B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE82607T1 (en)
AU (3) AU8200487A (en)
CA (2) CA1307641C (en)
DE (1) DE3782725T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2035023T3 (en)

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DK160349C (en) * 1988-03-23 1991-08-19 Preben Noedskov COMPARATIVE LIGHT WEIGHT STAND NAME FOR EXHIBITION USE
US4942686A (en) * 1988-07-29 1990-07-24 Kemeny Matthias D Portable display system
FR2671897B1 (en) * 1991-01-17 1993-04-02 Rousseau Pierre DISPLAY PANEL WITH FLEXIBLE INSCRIPTION MEDIUM.
ES2062951B1 (en) * 1993-04-07 1996-02-16 Arco Arquitectura De Comunicac MOUNTING STRUCTURE FOR EXHIBITOR PANELS.
AU6634796A (en) 1995-08-17 1997-03-12 Herman Zohar Portable, easily composable supporting skeleton
FR2765994B1 (en) * 1997-07-09 1999-09-10 Madinpack STRETCH CANVAS SUPPORT DEVICE, PARTICULARLY FOR A DISPLAY PANEL
EP1018104A4 (en) 1997-07-29 2001-03-28 Idea Dev Company Portable display system
IT1309643B1 (en) * 1999-02-26 2002-01-30 Sergio Cazzolaro REMOVABLE AND FOLDABLE STRUCTURES CONSISTING OF INTERCONNECTED TUBULAR ELEMENTS
US7204064B2 (en) 2000-02-18 2007-04-17 Sergio Cazzolaro Structures which can be dismantled and folded, consisting of interconnecting tubular elements
FR2849668B1 (en) * 2003-01-06 2005-09-30 Boi Xavier Olivier Do SELF-BLOCKING CANDLE SYSTEM FOR QUICK DEPLOYMENT TENT
ZA200807854B (en) * 2006-02-13 2009-10-28 Buttle Ritchie James Collapsible frames and structures
CN106759915A (en) * 2017-01-17 2017-05-31 甘南县昊钢科技有限公司 A kind of expansion type movable plank house being convenient for carrying

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE7906574L (en) * 1978-08-16 1980-02-17 Oribin Edwin Henry HOPFELLABLE TENT STATS
US4276726A (en) * 1979-12-17 1981-07-07 Derus David L Collapsable, articulated wall structure
US4471548A (en) * 1981-10-15 1984-09-18 John Goudie Associates, Inc. Display frames
US4512097A (en) * 1982-07-30 1985-04-23 Zeigler Theodore Richard Display panel mounting clip
US4522008A (en) * 1982-08-19 1985-06-11 Zeigler Theodore Richard Clip for self-locking collapsible/expandable structures
WO1984001094A1 (en) * 1982-09-24 1984-03-29 Preben Noedskov A collapsible exhibit panel
US4479340A (en) * 1982-12-28 1984-10-30 John Goudie Associates, Inc. Quick manual lock for display frames
GB8520605D0 (en) * 1985-08-16 1985-09-25 Alpha Technics Ltd Collapsible display stand
US4658560A (en) * 1985-10-28 1987-04-21 Beaulieu Bryan J Support and attachment brace

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU4886390A (en) 1990-05-17
ATE82607T1 (en) 1992-12-15
EP0271088A3 (en) 1990-08-29
AU1604192A (en) 1992-07-30
EP0498469A3 (en) 1992-11-25
ES2035023T3 (en) 1993-04-16
AU8200487A (en) 1988-06-16
DE3782725D1 (en) 1992-12-24
EP0498469A2 (en) 1992-08-12
EP0271088A2 (en) 1988-06-15
AU624672B2 (en) 1992-06-18
DE3782725T2 (en) 1993-06-09
EP0271088B1 (en) 1992-11-19
AU656579B2 (en) 1995-02-09
CA1320327C (en) 1993-07-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4986016A (en) Folding display frame with offset hub configuration
US5125205A (en) Display frame with folding display attachment devices
US4809471A (en) Diagonal assembly for folding display frames
US4580375A (en) Collapsible exhibit panel
CA1307641C (en) Folding display frame
US5327700A (en) Collapsible modular display tower assembly
AU670086B2 (en) Folding display frame for forming column-like structures
US4436135A (en) Portable display system
US5123550A (en) Collapsible light-weight framework for exhibition use
US5259164A (en) Wall constructed with a plurality of detachable boards connected with one another
AU9177491A (en) Collapsible canopy framework having captured scissor ends with non-compressive pivots
JPS5948544A (en) Self-supporting type structure brought to locked state susceptible to disassembling and enlargement
WO1993017195A1 (en) Portable room divider
US5803418A (en) Convertible structural element
US5382111A (en) Hinged frame structure
US5692445A (en) Multiple configuration folding table
US4826438A (en) Foldable learning station for making up technological operating circuits
US4108316A (en) Interconnectible structural tubular members
US4334571A (en) Screen and shelving system
US3975872A (en) System of articulated planes
GB2144822A (en) Elongate construction elements
EP0494155B1 (en) A coupling
RU58313U1 (en) Dismountable Construction
GB2183267A (en) A framework for a shelter
WO2001055999A1 (en) Three-dimensional foldable device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
MKLA Lapsed
MKEC Expiry (correction)

Effective date: 20121205