GB2222291A - Supporting structures - Google Patents

Abstract

A planar folding structure 12 comprising three segments 14, 16 and 18. The first segment 14 has a male mating part in the form of a tongue 24. The second segment 18 has an aperture 26 therein. Between the first and second segments, and hinged thereto is a third segment 16. The first and second segments pivot about this third segment and the tongue 24 of the first segment can be inserted into the aperture of the third segment to provide a three-dimensional structure (Figure 2). This structure can be used to support a variety of articles. In one embodiment it may form a book or display stand, in which case additional shelves or apertures may be added and in another embodiment it can form a chair. <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION SUPPORTING STRUCTURES The present invention relates to supporting structures. More particularly the invention relates to a supporting structure in the form of a display stand although an enlarged structure could be used to support, for example, a person.

Supporting structures in the form of a display stand are well known and come in a large variety of shapes and sizes depending on their use. Such stands are adapted for various uses, the main ones being for displaying books and plates. These devices are of three main types. Firstly, there are structures made from bent wire; secondly there are plastic moulded stands, and thirdly there are stands whose legs are hinged to their body, which legs can be pivoted from a first to a second position.

Such stands are relatively expensive to produce and their use is limited due to their set size.

Furthermore, due to their shape they are bulky and prove difficult to store when not in use.

Thus, it is one object of the present invention to produce a display stand which is cheap to produce, can be simply modified to suit different needs and which can be easily stored.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a planar structure comprising at least three segments pivoted to one another by at least two pivot means, said planar structure further comprising a first segment having at least one male mating part at a first end, and a second segment having at least one aperture at a second end remote from the first end, the segments being movable relative to one another by the pivot means such that the at least one male mating part on said first segment can be inserted into the at least one aperture of said second segment to provide a three dimensional supporting structure.

Preferably, the planar structure is made from plastics coated card although other materials such as metal, wood or plastics could be used.

Preferably, the pivot means is achieved by scoring the plastics card, although where the planar structure is made from metal, wood or plastics, the segments could be hinged together with a hinge means such as a piano hinge.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a supporting structure in the form of a chair which can be stored flat and easily assembled.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a structure formed from a substantially planar structure which is comprised of at least three segments hinged together, each segment being pivotable relative to one another such that a first segment has at least one male mating part at a first end, and a second segment in at least one aperture at a second end remote from the first end, the segments being pivotable about each hinge means such that the at least one male mating part in said first segment can be inserted into the at least one aperture of said second segment to provide a chair-type structure.

By way of example only, the invention will now be described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig.l shows the simplest embodiment of the invention in perspective view in its unassembled planar form; Fig.2 shows the display stand of Fig.l in its assembled form; Fig.3 shows a second embodiment of the invention in perspective view, in its planar unassembled form; Fig.4 shows the display stand of Fig.3 in perspective view, assembled in one of its three assembly positions, with additional parts shown in exploded view; Fig.5 shows the display stand of Fig.3 in perspective view, assembled in another of its assembly positions with the additional parts shown fitted; Fig.6 shows a display stand modified to accept additional parts;; Fig.7 shows the display stand of Fig.6 with the additional parts shown fitted in place; Fig.8 shows a wooden chair in its planar unassembled form, and Fig.9 shows in perspective view the chair of Fig.8 in its assembled form.

Referring to Fig.l and Fig.2, a display stand 10 is constructed from a substantially planar structure 12 made of a suitable material such as plastics coated card. The structure 12 is of general rectangular configuration having a tongue 24 extending outwards from one end and an elongate aperture 26 at the end remote from the tongue. The structure 12 has two score lines 20 and 22 along a first face 36. These score lines 20 and 22 divide the planar structure 12 into three distinct areas or segments and at the same time enable the segments to pivot about the score lines.Segment 14 extends from the tip of the tongue 24 to score line 20 and forms a base structure 36 in its assembled form; segment 16 extends from score line 20 to score line 22 and forms a back wall 38 in its assembled form and segment 18 extends from score line 22 to the end remote from the tongue 24 and contains an elongate aperture 26 therein. This segment forms the front wall 34 against which will rest, for example, a book in use of the assembled stand.

The display stand 10 can be formed from the planar structure 12 by bending the planar structure 12 along score lines 20 and 22 and inserting the tongue 24 through the elongate aperture 26 to form a threedimensional structure with a "Figure 4 type" configuration when viewed from the side. The end 28 remote from the tongue and the back 30 of score line 22 form the feet of display stand 10. A second surface 32 of the tongue 24 forms a shelf which supports, for example, a book and the segment 18 forms a front wall 34 against which, for example, a book will rest.

Fig.l and Fig.2 illustrated and described above show the invention in its simplest embodiment, and the invention will now be further described with reference to Figs. 3, 4 and 5 and Figs. 6 and 7 which show two further embodiments, and Figs. 8 and 9 which show a further concept.

In the embodiments shown in Figs. 3 to 5 the planar structure 12 has four score lines and illustrates a device which comprises more than three segments. However, only two of the four score lines 20, 22, 40 and 42 may be folded at any one time. The other two score lines by necessity must be kept rigid by splint means 44. Thus, by folding the structure 12 along two score lines from 20, 22, 40 and 42, and placing splint means 44 across the two edges of the planar structure perpendicularly to the score lines not being folded, the display stand can be assembled in several configurations.

If the planar structure 12 is folded along lines 20 and 42, a structure with a different configuration to that resulting from folding along lines 22 and 44 (compare Figs.4 and 5) results. Thus, by folding the planar structure along different score lines, different configurations can be achieved and a single display stand can be adapted for displaying different goods.

When a display stand having several score lines, as illustrated in Fig.3, is used, it is necessary to strengthen the device along the fold lines which are not to be folded, and this is done by the use of splint means 44.

The splint means 44 shown in Fig.4 comprises a thin steel sheet of U-shaped configuration which is slid along the edge of the planar structure perpendicular to the score line 22 as illustrated in Fig.4.

By splinting the sections on each side of the score line 20 and 22 the sections 34, 36 and 38 are thus held rigid.

To hold the tongue 24 in position in the aperture 26 of the assembled display stand, the tongue has a small aperture 46 through which a metal clip 48 is passed to lock the tongue in position.

A lip 50 is fitted on the tip of the tongue 24 to provide a means for preventing an object sliding off the tongue 24 when the display stand is in use. In the embodiment shown, the lip takes the form of a triangularly sectioned piece of plastics. This piece of plastics is adapted such that it can be slid or clipped over the end of the tongue to provide a stop for the object to be displayed on the tongue.

Further modification can be made to the stand and some examples are illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. For example, a pair of apertures 52 and 54 can be cut in walls 38 and 34 respectively to accommodate a shelf 56 which can be further used to accommodate various articles.

Similarly, two pairs of apertures 58, 60 and 62, 64 can be cut to accommodate a U-shaped piece 66 which when fitted can be used to prevent lateral movement of, for example, a book on the front face 36 of the stand. Furthermore, the "U" of the U-shaped piece can be further used to grip articles against the back wall 36 of the display stand.

Other shaped apertures can be cut in the display stand to receive further instruments. For example, small apertures 68 and 70 can be made to accommodate pens and the like, and a hole 72 can be made in the back wall 36 to facilitate the fixing of the device to a wall.

Figs. 8 and 9 show a different concept for the invention in which the planar structure 12' is comprised from three wooden units 14', 16' and 18'.

These units are hinged together with piano hinges 20' and 22'. On moving sections 14' and 18' about section 16' and inserting tongue 24' through aperture 26' a novel chair results. The face 32' of the tongue 24' forms a seat and the face 34' of segment 18 forms a back rest. Hinge 22' and the end 28', remote from tongue 24' form the feet for the chair.

As will be appreciated, the embodiments described by no means disclose all the combinations of shape which can be made, nor all the modifications which can be made to the versatility of the display stand.

Claims (28)

1. A planar structure comprising at least three segments pivoted to one another by at least two pivot means, in which said three segments comprise a first segment having at least one male mating part at a first end, a second segment having at least one aperture at a second end remote from the first end, and a third segment intermediate the first and second segments, the segments being movable relative to one another by the pivot means such that the at least one male mating part on said first segment can be inserted into the at least one aperture of said second segment to provide a three-dimensional supporting structure.

2. A planar structure as claimed in claim 1, in which in the assembled three-dimensional structure said male mating member forms a shelf, said second segment forms a front wall, against which an object may rest, and said third segment, intermediate said first and second segment on said planar structure forms a back wall.

3. A planar structure as claimed in claim 2, in which two feet are formed by the pivot between the first and third segment and by the edge of said second segment respectively.

4. A planar structure as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein said shelf and front wall act to support an object placed thereon.

5. A planar structure as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which said male mating part is a tongue.

6. A planar structure as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which said aperture is an elongate slot.

7. A planar structure as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which said pivot means is a hinge mechanism.

8. A planar structure as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which said structure is made from one of plastics coated card. plastics, wood or metal.

9. A planar structure as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said first, second or third segment is subdivided into two or more segments, which segments are pivotable relative to one another.

10. A planar structure as claimed in claim 9, in which said pivot means between said subdivided sections is braced.

11. A planar structure as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which has therein one or more further apertures.

12. A planar structure as claimed in claim 11, wherein said one or more further apertures is in said third segment.

13. A planar structure as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which said structure further comprises means for locking said male mating part in said aperture.

14. A planar structure as claimed in claim 13, wherein said locking means is a metal clip.

15. A planar structure as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said structure further comprises a lip.

16. A planar structure as claimed in claim 15, wherein said lip is a triangularly shaped piece of plastics.

17. A kit comprising a planar structure as claimed in claims 1 to 11, which kit further comprises one or more of: a lip forming structure, a bracing member, a shelf member and a U-shaped member.

18. A folding chair, which can be stbred flat, comprising three segments connected by two hinges, each segment being pivotable relative to its at least one adjoining segment, a first segment having at least one male mating part at a first end, a second segment remote from the first end having at least one aperture therein, a third segment interposed between said first and second segments, said first and second segments being capable of pivoting about said second segment such that said male mating member can be inserted through said at least one aperture.

19. A folding chair as claimed in claim 18, in which in-the assembled three-dimensional structure said male mating member forms a seat and said second segment forms a backrest.

20. A folding chair as claimed in claim 19, in which two feet are formed by the hinge between the first and third segments and by the edge of said second segment respectively.

21. A folding chair as claimed in claims 18 to 20, in which said male mating part is a tongue.

22. A folding chair as claimed in claims 18 to 21, in which said aperture is an elongate slot.

23. A folding chair as claimed in claims 18 to 22, wherein said hinge is a piano hinge.

24. A folding chair as claimed in claims 18 to 23, wherein said chair is made substantially from wood, plastics or metal.

25. A folding chair as claimed in claims 18 to 24, which further comprises a locking means for locking said male mating part into said aperture.

26. A planar structure as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16, substantially as hereinbefore described in Figures 1 to 7.

27. A kit comprising a planar structure as claimed in claim 18 substantially as hereinbefore described in Figures 1 to 7.

28. A folding chair which can be stored flat as claimed in any of claims 18 to 25, substantially as hereinbefore described in Figures 8 and 9.