GB2485484A

GB2485484A - An exhibition stand, method of constructing the stand and a temporary walling panel therefore

Info

Publication number: GB2485484A
Application number: GB201119616A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart Mitchell Pryor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-11-12
Filing date: 2011-11-14
Publication date: 2012-05-16
Also published as: GB201019178D0; WO2012063089A1; GB201119616D0

Abstract

A temporary walling panel 10 for an exhibition stand 50 includes a frame 12, the frame including a base member 14, a pair of side members 16 and an in use upper member 18. The elongate upper member may overlay the side members and may define a channel 20, which is open at each end and is fully open along its length along the upper side, the upper member being substantially U shaped in cross section. The frame may include at least one spaced apart support 24 which extends transversely between the side members. The panel may include a facing member which may include a hook formation or magnetic fastening which engages at least one of the supports in a mounted condition. The facing member may include a plurality of mountings which correspond in position to the supports. Cabling and/or piping may be received in the channel.

Description

Temporary Walling Panels The present invention relates to temporary walling panels, particularly but not exclusively temporary walling panels for exhibition stands, and exhibition stands constructed therefrom.

Conventionally, exhibition stands are constructed from a plurality of posts, with panels mounted thereon. There are a number of disadvantages of this conventional construction. The panels need external reinforcement to carry heavy loads, such as large screens or shelving, and the reinforcement is visually unattractive. There is no accommodation for service cabling or piping, which must be mounted on the surface of the panel within trunking.

The posts and panels do not provide a continuous flush surface.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a temporary walling panel for an exhibition stand, the panel including a frame, the frame including a pair of side members, a base member and an in use upper member.

Possibly, the panel defines a channel, which may be open at each end and may be at least partially open along an in use upper side.

Possibly, the upper member overlays the side members. Possibly, the upper member defines the channel.

Possibly, the upper member is elongate, and may be fully open along its length along the upper side. Possibly, the upper member is substantially U shaped in cross section. Possibly, a lower side of the upper member defines at least one communication aperture. The or each communication aperture is in the form of a slot.

Possibly, the frame includes one or more supports which extend transversely between the side members, and which are spaced from the base member and the upper member. Possibly, the frame includes a plurality of spaced apart transversely extending supports.

Possibly, the or each support includes a pair of spaced support members and a spacer member, the spacer member being located between the support members.

Possibly, the or each support defines a mounting recess, which may be in use upwardly open, and which may extend at least partially along the length of the support, and may extend fully along the length of the support. The mounting recess may be defined by the support members and the spacer member.

Possibly, the or each support defines a communication passage, which may extend through the support, and may extend in use substantially vertically through the support. The communication passage may be defined by the support members and the spacer member.

The base members and the side members may define a plurality of fixing holes.

The frame may be formed of steel, and may be formed of mild steel, and may be formed by fabrication.

The panel may include a facing member, which may be in the form of a sheet. The facing member may include a mounting for mounting the facing member to the frame. The mounting may include a hook formation, which may engage one of the supports in a mounted condition.

Possibly, the facing member may include a plurality of mountings, which may correspond in position to the supports.

In another embodiment, the or each mounting may include a magnetic fastening which in use in the mounted condition may fasten the facing member to the frame.

In still another embodiment, the frame includes one or more magnetic members, which may be in the form of inserts or strips, which may be held in position by a fixing. The facing member may be formed of mild steel, or may include mountings including mild steel members which correspond with the magnetic members of the frame.

The panel may include a pair of sheet like facing members, the sheet like facing members being attached to opposite sides of the frame.

The panel may include a second support, which may extend between the side members, and may define a plurality of holes for receiving fasteners therethrough.

Possibly, the panel includes a third support, which may include a third support mounting for mounting the third support to the frame. The third support mounting may include one or more hooks. The third support may include a mounting arrangement to permit mounting of items to the third support.

Possibly, the panel includes a fourth support, which may extend transversely outwardly on one or both sides from the frame, and which may include a fourth support mounting for mounting the fourth support to the frame. The fourth support mounting may define a recess in which a part of the frame is receivable. The fourth support mounting may include a projecting tongue which may be receivable in the channel.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an exhibition stand, the exhibition stand including at least one temporary walling panel, the panel including a frame, the frame including a pair of side members, a base member and an in use upper member.

Possibly, the stand includes a substantially continuous channel, which may extend around at least a part of the upper periphery of the stand, in which service cabling and piping is receivable.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an exhibition stand, the exhibition stand including a substantially continuous channel, which extends around at least a part of the upper periphery of the stand, and in which service cabling and piping is receivable.

Possibly, the stand includes at least one temporary walling panel, the panel including a frame, the frame including a pair of side members, a base member and an in use upper member.

Possibly, the channel extends along a plurality of the walling panels.

Possibly, the panel includes any of the features described in any of the

preceding statements.

Possibly, the stand includes a plurality of the panels, which are assembled together in a sequentially abutting relationship.

Possibly, each panel defines a channel, and in the sequentially abutting relationship the channels are arranged to form the continuous channel to permit communication there along, and may be aligned.

Possibly, in the sequentially abutting relationship, the facing members of abutting panels also abut to give the appearance of a substantially continuous flush surface.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of constructing an exhibition stand, the method including providing a temporary walling panel, the panel including a frame, the frame including a pair of side members, a base member and an in use upper member.

Possibly, the stand and/or the panel include any of the features described in any of the preceding statements. Possibly, the method includes any of the steps described in any of the preceding statements.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a front or rear view of a frame; Fig. 2 is an end view of the frame of Fig 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the frame; Fig. 4 is a plan view of a support; Fig. 5 is a side view of the support with facing members; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the frame and other components of an exhibition stand in an exploded, disassembled condition; Fig. 7 is a perspective, partially cut away view of an exhibition stand: Fig. 8 is a front view of part of another exhibition stand; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a third support; and Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a fourth support.

Figs. 1 to 7 show a temporary walling panel 10 for an exhibition stand 50, the panel 10 including a frame 12, the frame 12 including a base member 14, a pair of side members 16 and an in use upper member 18.

The elongate upper member 18 overlays the side members 16, and defines a channel 20, which is open at each end and is fully open along its length along the upper side, the upper member 18 being substantially U shaped in cross section. A lower side of the upper member 18 defines a plurality of communication apertures 22, each being in the form of a slot or hole.

In the example shown, the frame 12 includes three spaced apart supports 24 which extend transversely between the side members 16, and which are spaced from the base member 14 and the upper member 18.

Each support 24 includes a pair of spaced support members 26 and a spacer member 28, the spacer member 28 being located between the support members 26.

As shown in Fig 4, each support 24 defines an in use upwardly open mounting recess 30, which extends fully along the length of the support 24.

The mounting recess 30 is defined by the support members 26 and the spacer member 28.

Each support 24 defines a communication passage 32, which extends in use substantially vertically through the support 24, and is defined by the support members 26 and the spacer member 28.

The base member 14 and the side members 16 define a plurality of fixing holes 44 in the form of slots. Header fixing holes 46 are defined towards the upper end of the side members 16.

In one example, the base member 14, the side members 16, the upper member 18 and support members 26 could be formed of mild steel, by fabrication. The base member 14 and the side members 16 could be formed of rectangular hollow section steel. The support members 26 could be formed of plate or bar. The spacer members 28 could be formed of any convenient material which serves to stiffen the support members 26. For example, the spacer members 28 could be formed of rigid urethane foam or mild steel.

In a mounted condition, the panel 10 includes a facing member 34, which is in the form of a sheet. The facing member 34 could be formed of any suitable relatively rigid sheet material, and could have a decorative finish, which could include graphics. In one example, the facing member 34 could be formed of a medium density fibreboard material, a PVC board, Perspex, or a metal material. The facing member 34 includes a plurality of mountings 36 for mounting the facing member 34 in the mounted condition to the frame 12, which mountings 36 correspond in position to the supports 24. In the example shown in Fig 5, each mounting 36 includes a hook formation 38. As shown in Fig 5, the hook formation 38 could be in the form of a relatively rigid inverted "L" 38A, or in the form of a resilient clip-like hook 38B.

The mountings 36 could be different, depending on the size, shape and weight of the facing member 34. The mountings 36 described above could be suitable particularly for heavier facing members 34. For lighter facing members 34, the or each mounting 36 could include a fastening such as a magnetic fastening (not shown) which in use in the mounted condition could fasten the facing member 34 to the frame 12. In another embodiment, the mounting could include a hook and fleece fastening (not shown). In still another embodiment, the panel 10 could include several different types of mounting 36. For example, the panel 10 could include both magnetic fastenings and hook formation fastenings.

Other components of the exhibition stand 50 include a header frame 52, corresponding header facing members 54 and corner posts 40.

The header frame 52 is similar in construction to the frame 12, including a lower member 114, a pair of side members 116 and an in use U-shaped upper member 118 defining a channel 120, the side members defining slot like fixing holes 144 which correspond in position with the header fixing holes 46.

The corner posts 40 are also somewhat similar to the frame 12, being formed of rectangular hollow section steel and defining slot like fixing holes 244 which correspond in number and position to the fixing holes 44 of the frame 12. Each corner post 40 is lower on two sides 48 corresponding to the depth of the channel 20.

In use, the exhibition stand 50 is assembled as follows. A plurality of frames 12 are assembled together in a sequentially abutting relationship and fasteners such as bolts (not shown) located through the corresponding fixing holes 44. Corner posts 40 are located at 90° junctions between frames 12, and fasteners such as bolts located through the corresponding fixing holes 44, 244. At one side of the stand 50, the header frame 52 is located between two frames 1 2, with fasteners such as bolts (not shown) located through the corresponding fixing holes 46, 144.

The elongated or slotted fixing holes 44, 144, 244 permit a degree of misalignment and adjustment.

With the header frame 52 in position, a portion of the side wall of the upper member 18 can be removed to permit communication between the header channel 120 and the frame channels 20. In another example, an opening (not shown) is preformed in the side wall. In yet another example, no opening is made, and service cables or piping are simply arched over the side wall from one channel 20, 120 to the other of the channels 20, 120.

In the sequentially abutting relationship, the channels 20 are aligned to permit communication there along, thus forming a substantially continuous channel 58. The lower sides of the corner post 40 permit the channels to communicate around a corner. Thus service cables and piping can be readily laid in the open channels 20, 120 forming the continuous channel 58 around the top of the exhibition stand 50. The service cables and piping can be routed within the frames 12 rather than externally by locating through the communication apertures 22 and the communication passages 32 to outlet points (not shown) mounted to the panels 10.

With the frames 12 fixed together and the service cables and piping installed, the facing members 34 are mounted to the frames 12 and the header facing member 54 is mounted to the header frame 52 to form a header panel 66. As shown in Fig 5, the hook formation 38 is located over the upper side or edge of one of the support members 26 so that the hook formation 38 is at least partially received within the mounting recess 30. In the case of a facing member 34 which corresponds to the full height of the frame 12, the facing member 34 could have three or more hook formations 38 to locate over the corresponding three supports 24 as shown in Figs 1 and 6, which ensures that the facing member 34 is supported over its whole height.

Facing members 34 could be mounted to opposite sides of the frame 52. In the sequentially abutting relationship, the facing members 34 of abutting panels 12 also abut to give the appearance of a substantially continuous flush surface.

Where two frames 10 abut at 900 and there is a corner post 40 therebetween, the two frames could be formed to be slightly narrower in width to accommodate the corner post 40, so that the facing members 34 overlap the corner posts 40.

Referring to Fig 6, optionally the frame 12 could include a second support 60. The second support 60 defines fixing holes 62 which correspond in position with the some of the fixing holes 44. In an assembled condition, the second support 60 locates between the side members 16, and fasteners such as bolts (not shown) are located through the corresponding fixing holes 44, 62.

The second support 60 could comprise a substantially planar panel, the edges of which have been turned over to form flanges in which the fixing holes 62 are defined.

The second support 60 defines a plurality of mounting holes 64 for receiving fasteners therethrough. The mounting holes 64 could be threaded to receive fasteners such as bolts.

In use, the second support 60 is fixed in position on the frame 12 and one of the facing members 34 mounted to the frame 12 as described previously. Holes are then formed in the facing member 34 corresponding with the mounting holes 64. A load (not shown) could then be fixed to the second support 60 by fasteners such as bolts (not shown) which are located in the mounting holes 64. The load could be, for example, a screen (not shown) such as a plasma screen.

The invention thus provides a temporary walling panel which enables the construction of an exhibition stand easily. The frame is relatively robust and strong and can in itself support relatively heavy loads without requiring the use of external and unsightly additional reinforcement. Additional reinforcement can be provided within the frames for the carrying of heavy loads. Facing members can be easily mounted to and dismounted from the frames. In an assembled condition, the panels provide a neat, substantially continuous, flush appearance. Service cabling and piping is hidden in the continuous channel 58 formed by the communication channels 20, and within the frames.

Various other modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The exhibition stand could include any suitable number of walling panels. The exhibition stand, temporary walling panel and other components could be of any suitable size and shape, and could be formed of any suitable material, and could be formed by any suitable process.

The frame could include any suitable number of supports and second supports.

In one example, the frame is formed of a non magnetic material such as wood or aluminium, and provided with one or more magnetic members in the form of inserts or strips, which could be held in position by one or more fixings, for example by adhesive. In this example, the facing member could be formed of mild steel, or could include mountings including mild steel members which correspond with the magnetic members of the frame.

The exhibition stand could be constructed differently to that shown.

For example, the stand could include any suitable number of walls formed of walling panels. In one example, the stand could include two walls of walling panels, with two sides of header frames supported by a post. In another example, the stand could include one wall of walling panels, with three sides of header frames supported by two posts.

In another example, the header frame 52 could be replaced by an elongate beam member (not shown), which could extend between one or more of the frames 12, or between corner posts 40. The beam member could define one or more longitudinally extending channels, and could be formed of a material such as mild steel or aluminium, and could be formed by extrusion.

Figure 8 shows part of another exhibition stand 150, many features of which are similar to those already described in relation to the embodiment of Fig 7. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, the following embodiment will only be described in so far as it differs from the embodiment already described.

Where features are the same or similar, the same reference numerals have been used and the features will not be described again.

The exhibition stand 150 includes a pair of posts 140 which are similar to the corner posts 40 previously described, except that they extend further upwardly beyond the height of the frames 12. In this example, the stand 150 includes three spaced header frames 52 extending between the posts 140 above the frames 12. The lowermost header frame 52 is spaced from the frames 12 by a gap 70.

In use, facing members (not shown) similar to the facing member 34 previously described are mounted to the front and back sides to cover the header frames 52 and the upper parts of the posts 140, leaving the gap 70 uncovered. In another example, the facing members could extend downwardly to cover the frames 12 and the gaps 70. The extended height of the posts 140 provides extra display area. The exhibition stand 150 could include any suitable number of extended height posts 140.

In one example, the height of the frames 12 could be approximately 2400 mm, and the height of the posts 140 could be approximately 4000 mm.

The gap 70 could be approximately 400 mm in height.

Fig. 9 shows a third support 72 which comprises a mounting arrangement in the form of a mesh 74. The third support 72 includes a third support mounting 73 including a pair of hooks 76 and a pair of legs 78 which extend rearwardly from an upper part and a lower part respectively of the third support 72. Each of the legs 78 includes a relatively soft tip 80, which could, for example, be formed of rubber or a similar resilient material.

In use, the third support 72 can be located so that the hooks 76 locate in the channel 20 and the soft tips 80 contact the respective facing member 34. The mesh 74 can then be used for display purposes, for example, display objects can be mounted or attached to the mesh 74.

Advantageously, the arrangement of the channel 20 means that the hooks 76 are not visible from the other side of the panel 10 in use.

The hooks 76 could be extendable in length to permit the angle of the third support 72 to be varied relative to the facing member 34 to which it is mounted.

The third support 72 could be of any suitable size, and could include any suitable number of hooks 76 and legs 78. The mounting arrangement could be of a different form. For example, instead of mesh, the mounting arrangement could comprise a magnetic board, a board faced with fleece material for receiving hook fasteners, a plurality of bars or any other suitable arrangement.

Figure 10 shows a fourth support 82. The fourth support 82 includes a fourth support mounting 83 for mounting the fourth support 82 to the frame 12, which defines a recess 84 which extends transversely on an underside of the fourth support 82 across approximately the centreline of the fourth support 82 and, in which, in a mounted condition in use, the upper member 18 is receivable. The fourth support mounting 83 includes a projecting tongue 86 located within the recess 84, which in use is received within the channel 20 of one or more of the upper members 18. The fourth support 82 includes a pair of support straps 92, which support a side wall 94 and an underside wall 96, which could be formed of the same material as the facing members 34. The top of the fourth support 82 is left open to permit access for routing services such as electrical cables.

The fourth support 82, in use in the mounted condition, extends transversely outwardly on either side of the panel 10 and could, for example, support an electrically conductive track 88, to which are mounted light fittings 90. Electrical supply cables could be routed through the fourth support 82 to the communication apertures 22 of the upper member 18.

In one example, the fourth support 82 could be located in the gap 70 of the exhibition stand 150 shown in Fig. 8.

Advantageously, the fourth support 82 can be very easily mounted to the frame 12 by simply dropping into position on top of the frame 12.

The fourth support 82 could just extend on one side of the frame 12.

Any of the features or steps of any of the embodiments shown and/or described could be combined in any suitable way, within the scope of the

overall disclosure of this document.

Claims

Claims 1. A temporary walling panel for an exhibition stand, the panel including a frame, the frame including a pair of side members, a base member and an in use upper member.
2. A panel according to claim 1, in which the panel defines a channel, which is open at each end and may be at least partially open along an in use upper side.
3. A panel according to claim 2, in which the upper member overlays the side members, and defines the channel.
4. A panel according to claim 3, in which the upper member is elongate and substantially U shaped in cross section, and is fully open along its length along the upper side.
5. A panel according to any of the preceding claims, in which a lower side of the upper member defines at least one communication aperture, which may be in the form of a slot.
6. A panel according to claim any of the preceding claims, in which the frame includes one or more supports which extend transversely between the side members, and which are spaced from the base member and the upper member.
7. A panel according to claim 7, in which the frame includes a plurality of spaced apart transversely extending supports.
8. A panel according to claims 6 or 7, in which the or each support includes a pair of spaced support members and a spacer member, the spacer member being located between the support members.
9. A panel according to any of claims 6 to 8, in which the or each support defines a mounting recess, which may be in use upwardly open, and which may extend at least partially along the length of the support.
10.A panel according to claim 9, in which the recess extends fully along the length of the support.
11.A panel according to claims 9 or 10 when dependent on claim 8, in which the mounting recess is defined by the support members and the spacer member.
12.A panel according to claim 6 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the or each support defines a communication passage, which may extend through the support, and may extend in use substantially vertically through the support.
13.A panel according to claim 12 when dependent on claim 8 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the communication passage is defined by the support members and the spacer member.
14.A panel according to any of the preceding claims, in which the base members and the side members define a plurality of fixing holes.
15.A panel according to any of the preceding claims, in which the panel includes a facing member, which may be in the form of a sheet.
16.A panel according to claim 15, in which the facing member includes a mounting for mounting the facing member to the frame.
17.A panel according to claim 16, in which the mounting includes a hook formation, which may engage one of the supports in a mounted condition.
18.A panel according to claim 17, in which the facing member includes a plurality of mountings, which correspond in position to the supports.
19.A panel according to any of claims 16 to 18, in which the or each mounting includes a magnetic fastening which in use in the mounted condition fastens the facing member to the frame.
20.A panel according to any of the preceding claims, in which the frame includes one or more magnetic members, which may be in the form of inserts or strips and which may be held in position by a fixing, and the facing member is formed of mild steel or includes mountings including mild steel members which correspond with the magnetic members of the frame.
21.A panel according to claim 15 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the panel includes a pair of the sheet like facing members, the sheet like facing members being attached to opposite sides of the frame.
22.A panel according to any of the preceding claims, in which the panel includes a second support, which extends between the side members, and defines a plurality of holes for receiving fasteners therethrough.
23.A panel according to any of the preceding claims, in which the panel includes a third support, which includes a third support mounting including one or more hooks for mounting the third support to the frame, and a mounting arrangement to permit mounting of items to the third support.
24.A panel according to any of the preceding claims, in which the panel includes a fourth support, which extends transversely outwardly on one or both sides from the frame and includes a fourth support mounting for mounting the fourth support to the frame.
25.An exhibition stand, the exhibition stand including at least one temporary walling panel, the panel including a frame, the frame including a pair of side members, a base member and an in use upper member.
26. A stand according to claim 25, in which the stand includes a substantially continuous channel, which extends around at least a part of the upper periphery of the stand, in which service cabling and piping is receivable.
27.An exhibition stand, the exhibition stand including a substantially continuous channel, which extends around at least a part of the upper periphery of the stand, and in which service cabling and piping is receivable.
28.A stand according to claim 27, in which the stand includes at least one temporary walling panel, the panel including a frame, the frame including a pair of side members, a base member and an in use upper member.
29.A stand according to any of claims 26 to 28, in which the channel extends along a plurality of walling panels.
30.A stand according to any of claims 25 to 29, in which the panel includes any of the features defined in any of claims 1 to 24.
31.A stand according to any of claims 25 to 30, in which the stand includes a plurality of the panels, which are assembled together in a sequentially abutting relationship.
32.A stand according to claim 31, in which each panel defines a channel, and in the sequentially abutting relationship the channels are arranged to form the continuous channel to permit communication there along, and may be aligned.
33.A stand according to claim 32, in which in the sequentially abutting relationship, the facing members of abutting panels also abut to give the appearance of a substantially continuous flush surface.
34.A method of constructing an exhibition stand, the method including providing a temporary walling panel, the panel including a frame, the frame including a pair of side members, a base member and an in use upper member.
35.A method according to claim 34, in which the panel includes any of the features defined in any of claims 1 to 24.
36.A temporary walling panel for an exhibition stand substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.
37.An exhibition stand substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.
38.A method of constructing an exhibition stand substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.