US1947168A - Display stand - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 13, 1934. E. c. POTTER msrm' sum) Filed May 29, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 E. C. POTTER DISPLAY STAND Feb. 13, 1934.-

Filed May 29, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 13, 1934 UNITED STATES DISPLAY STAND 7 Earl C. Potter, Chicago, 111., assignor, bymiesne assignments, to

Container Corporation of America, Chicago, 111., a corporation'of Delaware Application May 29, 1930. Serial No. 457,183

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a novel construction of collapsible display stand or similar device and is herein illustrated as comprising a multisided tube-like body portion, capable of being collapsed to assume a flat formation, together with central reinforcing or bracing means, and a floor piece which serves with a part of the tube portion, as a receptacle for receiving and supporting articles or ware, to be displayed or exhibited.

It is an object of this invention to provide a stand of the above described type which is simple in construction and yet strong and durable in service.

It is further an object to provide astand which may be made up of suitable sheet material, such as cardboard, corrugated board, or like board or sheet material, whereby itmay be shipped in a flat condition and set up by a simple and quick operation, is cheap to manufacture and offers many other serviceable advantages desired in the use of this type of device.

It is a further object of this invention, to provide certain structural features which combine peculiarly to produce a highly improved stand and facilitate the assembling operation and assure the positive, durable character of the stand in its set up form.

These and other objects not specifically enumerated are contemplated for in this invention as will readily appear to one skilled in the art as the following description proceeds. The description will be more readily understood by reierring to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a stand having six sides, constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan viewof the stand partially in set up condition;

Figure 3 is a plan view of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the inner supporting or bracing means for the stand, and

Figure 5 is a cut-away fragmentary view, disclosing the upper end of the stand, showing the arrangement of the floor piece, and the locking flaps;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2, of a modified construction of the present invention and Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 5 of the modified construction.

Although the drawings and the following description disclose one preferred form of the aplicants invention, this is given merely by way of illustration, and is not to be considered as-' limiting the invention in any respect.

The scope of the invention may be determined from the appended claim. construed in the light 50 or the understanding derived from this illustration and an appreciation of the'advantages which the invention produces therein.

By referring to the drawings, it will be noted that the present invention is illustrated as embodied in a stand comprising a tube 10, which may be formed of any suitable material, such as cardboard, corrugated board or the like, made up of aplurality of flat sides, or wall portions 11, connected by hinges 12. These hinges may be formed by scores in a-continuous piece of board, with opposite edges of a strip connected by flexible means to produce the tube formation, or the tube may be made up of any number of separate pieces connected by means constituting the necessary hinges.

In any event, the tube will be formed with the number of sides and hinge connections with the sides of such shape and size, as to produce the finished tube of the shape desired in the completed stand. By way of illustration, the stand may be square, triangular, diamond shape, or of any other geometrical form produced by hinged plane surfaces.

The upper end of the tube body portion, is provided with slits at the location of the hinges, whereby to form a plurality of flaps 13.14 and 15, together with transverse hinge lines 16, which enable the flaps to be folded inwardly upon the inside of their respective side wall portions, in the manner clearly shown in Figure 5. These flaps are of a special construction to effect an interlocking relation, all in a manner hereinafter more fully described.

Inside the tube, a bracing and supporting means, such as shown in Figure 4, is provided, which comprises a plurality of radially disposed sheets extending between opposite hinge portions of the tube. In the present illustration, the bracing member comprises a pair of inter-fitting strips or. sheets 17 and 18, of rigid board material, each formed with a slot 19, extending from one edge to the middle thereof, in the central location of their width. This arrangement of inter-fitting, is old and well known, and will be understood to permit the inter-fitting of the strips 17 and 18 to form cross-braces.

When the strips are thus arranged, they are inserted into the tube which has been previously opened up and there placed in engagement with 1 opposite corners or hinges ofthe tube in the manner shown in Figure 2.

Additional sheets or strips'2O and 21 of suitable bracing material are employed, each of a width approximately one-half of the width of sheets 17 and 18, whereby they may extend from the center of the stand to the other hinges on opposite sides of the cross braces 17 and 18, in the manner shown in Figure 2, whereby to jointly form a continuous brace extending dia+ metrically across to the opposite hinges.

In this invention, the bracing construction shown in Figure 4, is of less height than the tube, whereby the bracing means will terminate short of the upper edge thereof and more particularly, a distance below the upper flaps equal to approximately the height of the flaps themselves.

A floor piece 22 is provided, of flat sheet material previously cut in size and shape to that of the interior horizontal cross sectional shape of the stand in set up position. The floor piece thus formed is adapted to be inserted into the interior of the tube, as shown in Figure 5, after the flaps are folded inwardly and positioned below the upper edge of the tube in a manner to be supported-directly on the upper edges of the supporting or bracing members, and to engage the lower inner edges 01' the flaps. This floor piece also acts as a brace and serves with the bracing member below, to maintain the exact formation of the stand in set up position.

In setting up the stand, the tube body portion is opened up and the bracing member isinserted, as described. The flaps are then folded inwardly, in the manner shown in Figure 5, so as to bring their lower edges in approximately the plane of the upper edges of the bracing member.

The flaps are each cut in a particular manner whereby in assembling the stand, the diametrically opposite flaps 13, are first folded inwardly. The diametrically opposite flaps 14, are next folded inwardly, in the same manner, but these flaps are formed with their edges adjacent the flaps 13, cut in a manner to over-lie to a slight extent, flaps 13, so as to lock the flaps 13 in the inwardly folded position. Finally, flaps 15, are folded inwardly to a similar locking position, which flaps have their edges cut to overlap the adjacent edges of both flaps 13 and 14, as shown in Figure 5.

After the flaps are positioned inwardly, as described the floor piece 22 is next inserted and forced downwardly until it is supported directly on the upper edges of the bracing members. In this position, the edges of the floor piece will be in engagement with the lower edges of the flaps whereby the parts will be tightly held against accidental displacement or collapse.

When the stand is thus set up, it will readily appear that a receptacle is formed at the upper portion of the stand, suitable for receiving and supporting articles, to be displayed or exhibited. As a matter of illustration, this stand may be used for advertising purposes, in diplaying cakes of soap or similar articles, which are piled up as an eifective display in the upper receptacle portion. When the receptacle is filled, it appears as though the entire tubular stand is filled with the displayed ware whereby to attract attention with good advertising results.

Furthermore, the side walls of the tube may have any desirable printed matter thereon, for carrying into eifect, the advertising purpose.

The floor piece is held downwardly by the ware -placed and supported thereon and in addition, it

is found to fit tightly at its edges with the flaps, whereby its movement is resisted by the frictional engagement therebetween.

It will appear that in the construction here fiaps at the upper edge,

described that the locking flaps are held in inward position by their interfitting relation and gagement is prevented while the stand is in use.

It is to be noted that the inwardly folded have the additional function of giving a finished, neat appearance to the stand with an upper, smooth edge at the crease line or hinge of the flap. It also provides the interior of the receptacle portion with a finished effect of color or surface similar to the outside of the stand proper, without necessitating the finishing of the inside of the material from which the stand is composed.

Referring now to the modified construction shown in Figures 6 and 7, it will be noted that the tube 10' may be formed with flaps 13', 14 and 15' of the same construction as defined in the other form, with additional triangular shaped flaps 30, on the outer edges thereof, of such size and shape as to collectively constitute a floor piece 22' as shown in Figure 7. In this form of the invention, a central bracing piece is employed of exactly the same construction as shown in Figure 4, and therefore, additional description will not be given here.

It will be obvious from an understanding of the shape and arrangement of the parts, that the tube may be opened up and supplied with the bracing piece centrally thereof, and subsequently the flaps with their hingedly joined extensions 30, may be folded inwardly to provide the assembled arrangement shown in Figure 7. In this form, a receptacle is provided for containing articles to be displayed in the same manner as provided in Figure 1.

It will readily appear from the above description, that this stand may be set up by quick and simple operation to form a very strong and durable stand which cannot become disengaged or collapse in use. The ware is supported directly on the fioor piece which is in turn, supported on the upper edges of the interior bracing members providing great strength and the ability to support unusually heavy loads.

When the stand is in use, it is understood that the interior bracing members extend to the lower edge of the tube, whereby they are supported directly on the floor or other surface on which the stand rests.

I claim:

A display stand comprising a collapsible tubular body formed from a plurality of hingedly connected side wall sections, a fioor piece for supporting articles to be displayed, said floor piece lying within said tubular body and in a plane below the upper edge of at least one of said side walls, a bracing means within said body for preventing collapsing of said tubular body and providing a support for maintaining said floor piece in fixed position, and a flap extension on said last mentioned side wall adapted to be bent inwardly of the tube and engage the upper portion of said side wall, said fioor piece having an edge bearing against said flap extension whereby it will be held in bent over relationship against said side wall without other securing means.

EARL C. PO'I'IER.

by the floor piece, whereby accidental disen-

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