GB2470355A

GB2470355A - Pop-up device for book or greetings card to form 3D shape, e.g. conical party hat.

Info

Publication number: GB2470355A
Application number: GB0908489A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicolaas Burgers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-05-18
Filing date: 2009-05-18
Publication date: 2010-11-24
Also published as: GB0908489D0

Abstract

A collapsible pop up device for a pop-up display that forms a three dimensional shape, comprises a cover member 2, a first member 31 and a second member 51 connected to a first side 3 of a folding item 5 e.g. book or greetings card, a first connector 20 and a second connector 60. The cover member comprises front 6 and rear 7 flexible separated by fold lines. In use, when the folding item is unfolded the second connector 60 pulls the second member 51 into a supporting position in which it extends away from the first opposing surface 3 and the cover member 2 is pulled and guided by the first connector 20 and the first member 31 into an erected configuration, in which the cover member extends away from the first opposing surface 3.

Description

Title: A COLLAPSIBLE SUPPORT

Description of the invention

The present invention relates to a collapsible support and, more particularly, to a collapsible support for use in a pop-up display. The present invention also relates to a product, for example, a greeting card or a book, which includes a pop-up display incorporating the collapsible support of the present invention.

Pop-up displays are used in a wide range of applications, including in greeting cards, books, particularly children's books, and promotional material that has the large novelty value of being more than a two-dimensional graphic.

In a collapsed form, a pop-up display lies in a folded configuration between two opposing surfaces of the object with which it is associated. For example, in the case of a greeting card, in a collapsed form, a pop-up display will lie in a folded configuration between the opposing, inwardly facing surfaces of the card. When the card is opened, the pop-up display is pulled up to its erected configuration by the action of the inwardly facing opposing surfaces of the card being moved further apart from one another. Generally, for pop-up displays that provide a three-dimensional graphic, the opposing surfaces of the card each need to be moved until they are at around 1800 with respect to one another before the pop-up display assumes its fully erected configuration.

As will be appreciated, pop-up displays come in and all shapes and sizes depending on the object they are intended to represent. For example, in the case of a children's book, the pop-up display may represent a character or a structure associated with the story being told by the book.

One of the challenges faced by producers of pop-up display products is the provision of a pop-up display which accurately represents the object it is intended to reproduce.

This is particularly problematic when the user wishes to display erected pop-up by the object by moving the opposing surfaces of the card so that they are at 900 with respect to one another before the pop-up display assumes its fully erected configuration. For example, in the case of a birthday card or other types of greeting card, it is desirable to open the card such that the opposing surfaces are substantially perpendicular to one another, and the pop-up display is fully erected, so that the card can be displayed on a mantelpiece.

It has previously been proposed to provide a pop-up display having a fold line where one side of the display is attached at a single point to one opposing surface of the card and the other side of the cover is attached at a single point to the other opposing surface of the card. However, in order to erect such a pop-up display, the opposing surfaces of the card need to be moved until they are at 180° with respect to one another before the pop-up display assumes its fully erected configuration.

An alternative design of a known pop-up display employs a connector attached to one opposing surface of the card, which is attached to the cover by a rubber band. When the card is opened by moving the opposing surfaces of the card relative to one another through 45° or 90°, the cover is erected. However, the force applied by the connector and rubber band is not sufficient to fully erect the cover into its desired three-dimensional configuration, which accurately represents the object it is intended to reproduce.

The object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible support for use in erecting a pop-up display which at least addresses the problem above associated with known pop-up displays.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides a collapsible support for use in erecting a pop-up display between first and second opposing surfaces of an object, the first and second surfaces being attached to one another along respective edges and being pivotably movable with respect to one another, the support comprising: a cover member comprising front and rear flexible elements and being provided with fold lines between the front and rear elements; a first member which is fixable, at a first end thereof, to the first opposing surface so that it extends hingedly therefrom, and which is attached, at a second end thereof, to an inner surface of the rear element of the cover member; a second member which is fixable, at a first end thereof, to the first opposing surface so that it extends hingedly therefrom, a first connector, which is hingedly attached at or near a first end thereof to the second member at or near a second end thereof, and is hingedly attached at a second end thereof to the inner surface of the rear element of the cover member; and a second connector, which is fixable, at a first end thereof, to the second opposing surface, so that it extends hingedly therefrom, and is attached at or near a second end thereof to the second member at or near the second end thereof, wherein, in an un-erected configuration, in which the first and second opposing surfaces lie substantially parallel with one another, the cover member, the first and second members and the first and second connectors are collapsed between the first and second opposing surfaces, the cover member being folded along its fold lines, and when the first and second opposing surfaces are pivotably moved with respect to one another to increase the angle therebetween: the second connector pulls the second member into a supporting position in which it extends away from the first opposing surface; and the cover member is pulled and guided by the first connector and the first member into an erected configuration, in which the cover member extends away from the first opposing surface.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a pop-up display comprising: an object with first and second opposing surfaces the first and second surfaces being attached to one another along respective edges and being pivotably movable with respect to one another, the support comprising: a cover member comprising front and rear flexible elements and being provided with fold lines between the front and rear elements; a first member which is fixed, at a first end thereof, to the first opposing surface so that it extends hingedly therefrom, and which is attached, at a second end thereof, to an inner surface of the rear element of the cover member; a second member which is fixed, at a first end thereof, to the first opposing surface so that it extends hingedly therefrom, a first connector, which is hingedly attached at or near a first end thereof to the second member at or near a second end thereof, and is hingedly attached at a second end thereof to the inner surface of the rear element of the cover member; and a second connector, which is fixable, at a first end thereof, to the second opposing surface, so that it extends hingedly therefrom, and is attached at or near a second end thereof to the second member at or near the second end thereof, wherein, in an un-erected configuration, in which the first and second opposing surfaces lie substantially parallel with one another, the cover member, the first and second members and the first and second connectors are collapsed between the first and second opposing surfaces, the cover member being folded along its fold lines, and when the first and second opposing surfaces are pivotably moved with respect to one another to increase the angle therebetween: the second connector pulls the second member into a supporting position in which it extends away from the first opposing surface; and the cover member is pulled and guided by the first connector and the first member into an erected configuration, in which the cover member extends away from the first opposing surface.

As outlined above, one of the problems encountered by designers of pop-up displays is achieving a pop-up display, which accurately represents the object it is intended to reproduce when opening the object such that the opposing surfaces of the card are only moved through 900 relative to one another.

By using a collapsible support embodying the present invention, it is possible to achieve a pop-up display, which accurately represents the object it is intended to reproduce when opening the object such that the opposing surfaces of the card are only moved from being substantially parallel to being disposed at around 900 to one another. The present invention achieves this effect by using a collapsible support which is configured such that when the opposing surfaces of the object are moved in this way, the second connector, which is attached to the first opposing surface of the object, pulls the second member, which is interconnected with the first member in such a way that the rate of angular motion of the first connector with respect to the first opposing surface is greater than the rate of angular motion between the opposing surfaces. This "over-gearing" of the first member advantageously enables the first member and the first connector, to pull and guide the cover into its erected configuration.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the support also readily collapses into its collapsed configuration without obstructing the pop-up display. This is important in ensuring that the pop-up display is erected and collapsed in a smooth manner.

Preferred features of a collapsible support and/or pop-up display of the present invention are as follows: Advantageously, the first member and the first connector are attached to the inner surface of the rear element of the cover member at substantially the same point.

Conveniently, the first and second opposing surfaces are pivotably moved with respect to one another to increase the angle therebetween, the rate of angular motion of the first member with respect to the first opposing surface is greater than the rate of angular motion of the second opposing surface with respect to the first opposing surface.

Preferably the first and second opposing surfaces are pivotably moved with respect to one another to increase the angle therebetween, the rate of angular motion of the first connector with respect to the first opposing surface is greater than the rate of angular motion of the second opposing surface with respect to the first opposing surface.

Conveniently, the first and second opposing surfaces are pivotably moved with respect to one another to increase the angle therebetween, the rate of angular motion of the first connector with respect to the first opposing surface is greater than the rate of angular motion of the first member with respect to the first opposing surface.

Preferably, the cover member is cone-shaped when in the erected configuration.

Advantageously, the first connector is configured in the shape of a tongue or strip when viewed from above.

Conveniently, the first member is configured in the shape of a tongue or strip when viewed from above.

Advantageously an aperture is formed in the first member, and the second member is positioned to pass through the aperture when the cover member is in the erected configuration.

Preferably, an aperture is formed through the rear element of the cover member, and wherein the second connector is configured such that it can pass through the aperture when the cover member is in the erected configuration.

Advantageously, a lower edge of the front element of the cover element is hingedly attachable to the first opposing surface.

Preferably, the first member is attached directly to the rear element of the cover. Alternatively, the first member is attached indirectly to the rear element of the cover.

Preferably, the first connector is attached directly to the rear element of the cover. Alternatively, the first connector is attached indirectly to the rear element of the cover.

Advantageously, the first member and the first connector are attached to each other at or near their respective second ends.

Another aspect of the invention provides a kit comprising a collapsible support according to the above and an object comprising first and second opposing surfaces the first and second surfaces being attached to one another along respective edges and being pivotably movable with respect to one another.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a pop-up display including a collapsible support comprising first and second opposing surfaces the first and second surfaces being attached to one another along respective edges and being pivotably movable with respect to one another.

Advantageously, the first and second members are attached to the first opposing surface, and the second connector is attached to the second opposing surface.

Preferably, the front element of the cover element is attached to the first opposing surface.

A non-limiting embodiment of a collapsible support for use in the present invention will now be described by way of reference to the figures, in which: Figure 1A is a plan view of a pop-up display in accordance with the present invention in an un-erected configuration.

Figure lB is a plan view of the pop-up display of Figure lA in an erected configuration; Figure 10 is a side view of the pop-up display of Figure lB when viewed in direction 0 in an erected configuration; Figure 1D is a side view of the pop-up display of Figure lB when viewed in direction R in an erected configuration; Figure 2A is a plan view of a collapsible support in accordance with the present invention in an erected configuration.

Figure 2B is a side view of the collapsible support of Figure 2A when viewed in direction S in an erected configuration; and Figure 20 is a side view of the collapsible support of Figure 2B when viewed in direction T in an erected configuration.

As illustrated in Figure 1, there is a pop-up greeting card 5 which has first and second opposing, inwardly facing surfaces 3 and 4.

The greeting card 5 comprises a pop-up 1 having a cover member 2 which, in an erected configuration, is shaped like a party hat or cone.

As shown in Figure 1A, in an un-erected configuration, the cover 2 of the pop-up 1 is in the shape of a triangle with a rounded lower side having fold lines 100, 101 at each straight side and front and rear flexible elements 6, 7. As will be appreciated, when the card 5 is closed, the pop-up 1 is collapsed between the opposing surfaces 3, 4 of the card 5 and assumes this triangle-like configuration.

As shown by Figures lB through to D, when the card 5 is opened and the opposing surfaces 3, 4 are at 90° to one another, the pop-up display assumes its fully erected configuration and the cover member 2 adopts a conical shape having a substantially circular cross section. It can be appreciated that the pop-up 1 may be formed so that the three-dimensional erected form of the pop-up may be a variety of shapes, such as a square-based pyramid. As illustrated, when erected, the pop-up 1 sits on the first opposing surface 3 of the card. It can be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the card 5 can be opened by greater or lesser than 900 in order to erect the pop-up display.

A collapsible support 30 forms part of the pop-up 1 and includes first and second members, 31, 51 which interact with another, the cover 2 and the opposing surfaces 3 and 4 of the card, one to provide a pop-up 1 which accurately represents the desired object when erected, which in Figure 1 is a cone.

As illustrated by Figures 2A through to C, the first member 31 includes a base member or foot 32, which is stuck or secured to the first opposing surface 3 of the card 5. The first member 31 is hingedly attached to the base member 32 at a first end thereof, and is connected to an inner rear surface of the cover 2 at a point Z. In alternative embodiments, the connection between the first member 31 and the cover may be indirect, with the first member 31 being attached to the first connector 20 (discussed in more detail below), or being attached to a further connecting element (not shown) which is itself attached to the cover 2. It is to be understood that that the base member 32 may integrally extend from the first opposing surface 3 of the card 5.

In the collapsed configuration, the first member 31 is collapsed between the first and second opposing surfaces 3, 4 of the card 5.

A first connector 20 is preferably configured to be in the shape of a tongue when viewed from above. At a first end thereof, the first connector 20 is preferably hingedly attached to or extendable from a top edge 41 at a second end of the second member 51. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the first connector 20 is hingedly attached at or near a first end thereof to the second member 51 near a second end thereof. Alternatively, the first connector 20 is hingedly attached near a first end thereof to the second member 51 at or near a second end thereof.

The first connector 20 is also connected to the inner rear surface of the cover 2, and is preferably connected directly to the cover 2 at the same point Z. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the first connector 20 may be connected to the cover 2 indirectly, either by being connected to the first member 31, or through attachment to a further connecting element (not shown) which is attached to the cover 2 or to the first member 31. In preferred embodiments, the first member 31 and first connecter 20 are attached to one another at the point Z where they are both attached to the cover (See Figure 1 D). It is to be appreciated that the first connector 20 need not be configured in the shape of a tongue. For example, the first connector 20 could be configured in the shape of a rectangular strip when viewed from above. Also, it will be appreciated that the first connector 20 need not be directly connected to the first member 31.

As shown more clearly in Figures 2A through to 20, the second member 51 of the collapsible support 30 also has a base member or foot 52 through which it is attached to the first opposing surface 3 of the card 5.

The second member 51 hingedly extends from the base member or foot 52 at a first end and is attached to the first connector 20 at or near the second end as described above. It is to be appreciated that the second member 51 may integrally extend from the first opposing surface 3 of the card 5 i.e. in alternative embodiments where the collapsible support 30 is an integral part of the product, for example, a greeting card, the base member or foot 52 can be dispensed with.

In the collapsed configuration the second member 51 is collapsed between the first and second opposing surfaces 3, 4 of the card 5.

As illustrated in Figure 1, a second connector 60 is provided, which is preferably configured in the shape of a rectangular strip when viewed from above. It is to be appreciated that the second connector 60 need not be configured in the shape of a rectangular strip. For example, the second connector 60 could be configured in the shape of a tongue when viewed from above.

At a second end thereof, the second connector 60 is preferably hingedly attached to or extendable from a top edge 41 at a second end of the second member 51 and otherwise is also hingedly attached to the second opposing surface 4 of the card 5 at a second end thereof. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the second connector 60 is hingedly attached at or near a second end thereof to the second member 51 near a second end thereof. Alternatively, the second connector 60 is hingedly attached near a second end thereof to the second member 51 at or near a second end thereof. It can also be appreciated that the second connector 60 need not be connected to the top edge 41 of the second member 51, but may be attached at any point along the height of the second member 51 such that the second connector 60 can pull the second member 51 into its supporting position when the card 5 is opened.

As illustrated, when the card 5 is opened by moving the opposing surfaces 3, 4 relative to one another by a rotational movement of 90°, the second connector 60 is pulled by the second surface 4, which in turn pulls the second member 51 into its supporting position, in which it is substantially perpendicular to the first opposing surface 3 of the card 5. It can be appreciated, however, that in its supporting position the second member 51 need not be substantially perpendicular to the first opposing surface 3 of the card.

As the first connector 20 and first member 31 are both attached to the rear element 7 of the cover member 2 at the same point Z, the point Z is constrained to move along a path that is a first distance (corresponding to the length of the first connector 20) from the second end of the second member 51, and a second distance (corresponding to the length of the first member 31) from the point at which the first end of the first member 31 is attached to the first surface 3 of the card. These lengths are chosen so that movement of the second member 51 into its supporting position causes the first connector and the first member to pull and guide the point Z to a position which is raised above the first surface 3, and lies on or near the second surface 4, which in turn causes the cover member 2 to be pulled into its erected configuration.

In advantageous embodiments, side edges of the first connector 31 are shaped so as to assist the cover member 2 in forming the desired shape. For instance, if a rounded shape is required, as shown in figure 1B, the side edges may be rounded. If, however, a square pyramid" shape is required, then the side edges may define a square or rectangular shape.

In the present specification "comprises" means "includes or consists of" and "comprising" means "including or consisting of".

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A collapsible support (30) for use in erecting a pop-up display (1) between first and second opposing surfaces (3, 4) of an object (5), the first and second surfaces (3, 4) being attached to one another along respective edges and being pivotably movable with respect to one another, the support comprising: a cover member (2) comprising front and rear flexible elements (6, 7) and being provided with fold lines between the front and rear elements (6, 7); a first member (31) which is fixable, at a first end thereof, to the first opposing surface (3) so that it extends hingedly therefrom, and which is attached, at a second end thereof, to an inner surface of the rear element (7) of the cover member (2); a second member (51) which is fixable, at a first end thereof, to the first opposing surface (3) so that it extends hingedly therefrom, a first connector (20), which is hingedly attached at or near a first end thereof to the second member (51) at or near a second end thereof, and is hingedly attached at a second end thereof to the inner surface of the rear element (7) of the cover member (2); and a second connector (60), which is fixable, at a first end thereof, to the second opposing surface (4), so that it extends hingedly therefrom, and is attached at or near a second end thereof to the second member (51) at or near the second end thereof, wherein, in an un-erected configuration, in which the first and second opposing surfaces (3, 4) lie substantially parallel with one another, the cover member (2), the first and second members (31, 51) and the first and second connectors (20, 60) are collapsed between the first and second opposing surfaces (3, 4), the cover member (2) being folded along its fold lines, and when the first and second opposing surfaces (3, 4) are pivotably moved with respect to one another to increase the angle therebetween: the second connector (60) pulls the second member (51) into a supporting position in which it extends away from the first opposing surface (3); and the cover member (2) is pulled and guided by the first connector (20) and the first member (31) into an erected configuration, in which the cover member (2) extends away from the first opposing surface (3).
2. A collapsible support according to claim 1, wherein the first member (31) and the first connector (20) are attached to the inner surface of the rear element (7) of the cover member (2) at substantially the same point.
3. A collapsible support according to claim 1 or 2 wherein, when the first and second opposing surfaces (3, 4) are pivotably moved with respect to one another to increase the angle therebetween, the rate of angular motion of the first member (31) with respect to the first opposing surface (3) is greater than the rate of angular motion of the second opposing surface (4) with respect to the first opposing surface (3).
4. A collapsible support according to any preceding claim wherein, when the first and second opposing surfaces (3, 4) are pivotably moved with respect to one another to increase the angle therebetween, the rate of angular motion of the first connector (20) with respect to the first opposing surface (3) is greater than the rate of angular motion of the second opposing surface (4) with respect to the first opposing surface (3).
5. A collapsible support according to any preceding claim wherein, when the first and second opposing surfaces (3, 4) are pivotably moved with respect to one another to increase the angle therebetween, the rate of angular motion of the first connector (20) with respect to the first opposing surface (3) is greater than the rate of angular motion of the first member (31) with respect to the first opposing surface (3).
6. A collapsible support according to any preceding claim wherein the cover member (2) is cone-shaped when in the erected configuration.
7. A collapsible support according to any preceding claim wherein the first connector (20) is configured in the shape of a tongue or strip when viewed from above.
8. A collapsible support according to any preceding claim wherein the first member (31) is configured in the shape of a tongue or strip when viewed above.
9. A collapsible support (30) of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein an aperture is formed in the first member (31), and the second member (51) is positioned to pass through the aperture when the cover member (2) is in the erected configuration.
10. A collapsible support according to any preceding claim, wherein an aperture (2a) is formed through the rear element (7) of the cover member (2), and wherein the second connector (60) is configured such that it can pass through the aperture (2a) when the cover member (2) is in the erected configuration.
11. A collapsible support according to any preceding claim, wherein a lower edge of the front element (6) of the cover element (2) is hingedly attachable to the first opposing surface (3).
12. A collapsible support according to any preceding claim, wherein the first member (31) is attached directly to the rear element (7) of the cover (2).
13. A collapsible support according to any of claims 1 to ii, wherein the first member (31) is attached indirectly to the rear element (7) of the cover (2).
14. A collapsible support according to any preceding claim, wherein the first connector (20) is attached directly to the rear element (7) of the cover (2).
15. A collapsible support according to any of claims ito 13, wherein the first connector (20) is attached indirectly to the rear element (7) of the cover (2).
16. A collapsible support according to any preceding claim, wherein the first member (31) and the first connector (20) are attached to each other at or near their respective second ends.
17. A kit comprising a collapsible support according to any preceding claim and an object (5) comprising first and second opposing surfaces (3, 4) the first and second surfaces (3, 4) being attached to one another along respective edges and being pivotably movable with respect to one another.
18. A pop-up display (1) comprising a collapsible (30) support according to any preceding claim attached to an object (5) comprising first and second opposing surfaces (3, 4) the first and second surfaces (3, 4) being attached to one another along respective edges and being pivotably movable with respect to one another.
19. A pop-up display (1) according to claim 18, wherein the first and second members (31, 51) are attached to the first opposing surface (3), and the second connector (60) is attached to the second opposing surface (4).
20. A pop-up display (1) according to claim 19, wherein a lower edge of the front element (6) of the cover element (2) is attached to the first opposing surface (3).
21. A pop-up display (1) comprising: an object (5) with first and second opposing surfaces (3, 4), the first and second surfaces (3, 4) being attached to one another along respective edges and being pivotably movable with respect to one another, the support comprising: a cover member (2) comprising front and rear flexible elements (6, 7) and being provided with fold lines between the front and rear elements (6, 7); a first member (31) which is fixed, at a first end thereof, to the first opposing surface (3) so that it extends hingedly therefrom, and which is attached, at a second end thereof, to an inner surface of the rear element (7) of the cover member (2); a second member (51) which is fixed, at a first end thereof, to the first opposing surface (3) so that it extends hingedly therefrom, a first connector (20), which is hingedly attached at or near a first end thereof to the second member (51) at or near a second end thereof, and is hingedly attached at a second end thereof to the inner surface of the rear element (7) of the cover member (2); and a second connector (60), which is fixable, at a first end thereof, to the second opposing surface (4), 50 that it extends hingedly therefrom, and is attached at or near a second end thereof to the second member (51) at or near the second end thereof, wherein, in an un-erected configuration, in which the first and second opposing surfaces (3, 4) lie substantially parallel with one another, the cover member (2), the first and second members (31, 51) and the first and second connectors (20, 60) are collapsed between the first and second opposing surfaces (3, 4), the cover member (2) being folded along its fold lines, and when the first and second opposing surfaces (3, 4) are pivotably moved with respect to one another to increase the angle therebetween: the second connector (60) pulls the second member (51) into a supporting position in which it extends away from the first opposing surface (3);and the cover member (2) is pulled and guided by the first connector (20) and the first member (31) into an erected configuration, in which the cover member (2) extends away from the first opposing surface (3).
22. A collapsible support (30) substantially as described with reference to or shown by the drawings.
23. A kit substantially as described with reference to or shown by the drawings.
24. A pop-up display (1) substantially as described with reference to or shown by the drawings.
25. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.