US20080237169A1 - Portable display - Google Patents
Portable display Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080237169A1 US20080237169A1 US11/729,035 US72903507A US2008237169A1 US 20080237169 A1 US20080237169 A1 US 20080237169A1 US 72903507 A US72903507 A US 72903507A US 2008237169 A1 US2008237169 A1 US 2008237169A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- panel
- pair
- edge
- locking slots
- receiving
- 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.)
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B23/00—Bed-tables; Trays; Reading-racks; Book-rests, i.e. items used in combination with something else
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B57/00—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions
- A47B57/30—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions with means for adjusting the height of detachable shelf supports
- A47B57/40—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions with means for adjusting the height of detachable shelf supports consisting of hooks coacting with openings
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B2220/00—General furniture construction, e.g. fittings
- A47B2220/0075—Lighting
- A47B2220/0077—Lighting for furniture, e.g. cupboards and racks
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B57/00—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions
- A47B57/06—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions with means for adjusting the height of the shelves
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B57/00—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions
- A47B57/06—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions with means for adjusting the height of the shelves
- A47B57/16—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions with means for adjusting the height of the shelves consisting of hooks coacting with openings
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B57/00—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions
- A47B57/30—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions with means for adjusting the height of detachable shelf supports
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a portable and versatile display system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a display system for use with, for example, expositions, trade shows and the like, that can de easily assembled, disassembled and varied in its configuration.
- Trade shows, conventions, expositions, conferences, and exhibitions often require exhibitors to provide self-standing displays, booths or kiosks to exhibit their promotional material. Exhibitors traveling from regions remote from the city in which such trade shows, conventions, expositions, etc. are to be held generally favour flying to the destination. As the exhibitors need to carry their exhibit material over long distances, displays or kiosks are often loaded on a plane or sent by courier ahead of the exhibitor travelling to the conference. Because most of the cost associated with transportation is based on the weight of the cargo shipped, exhibitors tend to prefer lightweight, compact and easy to transport displays.
- a display suitably versatile in its configuration possibilities such that it can be adapted to the exhibition space available. Further, because a number of exhibitors distribute samples or brochures, or display their actual products, it is further contemplated to have horizontal surfaces such as shelves or racks on which such promotional material or actual product can be placed. Therefore, a display that is light, easy to assemble/dissemble and versatile would be appreciated by exhibitors.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,433 generally discloses a display assembly comprising two spaced-apart triangular columns, a center wall extending therebetween and a header for laterally stabilizing the columns.
- the various components of U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,433 are made from folded blanks of the fluted plastic.
- the display taught may further include a number of square center columns allowing the addition of further center walls to expand the width of the display. While the configuration of this display enables extension of the display areas, its design only permits a generally linear configuration.
- the display of this patent has a generally flat display surface designed to carry sheet-like material such as posters and pictures. It is however not adapted to carry the weight of projecting display devices such as shelves or racks.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,086 discloses an exposition display comprising a plurality of generally horizontal display panels. Each panel includes a plurality of folding lines used to fold the panel in a zigzag configuration. Each panels further includes an arrangement of slots allowing the assembly of one horizontal panel onto another similar panel. While this display provides the possibility to install shelves, the size and position of the shelves cannot be varied from time to time. Further, the configuration of the display disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,086 does not provide the flexibility to modify the overall width of the display or to modify its shape with respect to the exhibition space available.
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,113,392 discloses a display unit including two spaced-apart side columns and display section to be mounted therebetween.
- the various components of the display are assembled through the use of bracing and detachable connectors. While generally satisfactory, the use of such hardware is generally not encouraged since it tends to require tool for the assembly and the loss of small parts may impair the assembly of the unit and this tends not to be user friendly.
- U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,378,710 teaches an adjustable shelving unit including a vertical shelf support to which can be mounted a plurality of shelves.
- the support includes a plurality of slots and notches allowing vertical movement of the shelves relative to the support.
- the shelves and support are made from a folded corrugated paperboard blank.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,683 also discloses a shelving unit made from folded blanks of corrugated paperboard. Despite the shelving unit being able to stands alone, the shelves cannot be adjusted once the unit is assemble and the shape and size of the unit cannot be modified.
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,559,814 describes a collapsible display unit designed to rest on a table and having adjustable shelf means. This display unit requires hinges and vertical shelf brackets which may further contribute to its weight. Further, this unit cannot be joined other similar units to customize size and shape of the display area.
- a display made from a light sheet material that can be easily assembled/disassembled without the use of small fastening hardware or tools. It would be also advantageous to be provided with a display capable of supporting shelves, racks, baskets or a combination thereof in adjustable positions, both horizontally and vertically. Finally, it would be advantageous to be provided with a display that is versatile enough to permit modification of the size and/or the shape of the display.
- a kit for a display comprising a first and a second panel, the first panel having a first and second edge, the first edge having at least one set of connection tabs extending therefrom.
- the second panel has a first and second edge, the first edge having a set of locking slots adapted to receive the set of connection tabs of the first panel when the first panel is oriented generally perpendicular to the second panel.
- a kit for a display where the set of locking slots of the second panel comprises first and second, spaced apart, locking slots.
- the set of locking slots of the second panel comprises first and second pairs of locking slots, the first pair of locking slots being spaced apart from the second pair of locking slots.
- each of the connection tabs comprises a head portion and at least one elongated finger.
- the head portion extending from the first edge of the first panel and at least one elongated finger portion extends from the head portion.
- each member of the pair of locking slots comprises at least one finger-receiving portion and a head-receiving portion.
- the at least one finger-receiving portion is sized to allow the passage of the at least one elongated finger portion and the head portion of one connection tab therethrough while the head-receiving portion is adapted to receive the head portion of the connection tab.
- the head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots are aligned along a vertical axis extending generally parallel to the first and second edges of the second panel.
- the head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis.
- the head-receiving portions of the first and second pairs of locking slots are further aligned along the vertical axis and the finger-receiving portions of the first and second pair of locking slots are offset along the vertical axis.
- the second edge of the first panel comprises a second set of connection tabs that extends therefrom.
- each of the first and second set of connection tabs comprises a pair of connection tabs. Further, each pair of connection tabs includes a first member and a second, spaced apart, member.
- each first member of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is oriented in a first direction and each second member of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is oriented in a second direction.
- the first and second directions are opposite to one another.
- the first direction of the first members of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is the same.
- the first direction of the first members of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is opposite.
- a kit for a display wherein the first and second edges of the first panel comprises a first pair of spaced apart recesses proximal to the first pair of connection tabs and a second pair of spaced apart recesses proximal to the second pair of connection tabs.
- Each recess is adapted to receive a connection tab therein and the first and second members of the first pair of recesses are aligned along a horizontal axis extending generally perpendicularly to the first and second edges of the first panel with the first and second members of the second pair of connection tabs.
- the first and second members of the second pair of recesses are aligned along the horizontal axis with the first and second members of the first pair of connection tabs.
- the second edge of the second panel comprises a set of connection tabs extending therefrom.
- a kit for a display further comprising a third panel.
- the third panel has a first and second edge, the first edge having at least one set of locking slots adapted to receive the connection tabs of the first panel or the second panel when the third panel is generally perpendicular to the first panel or the second panel.
- the set of locking slots of the third panel comprise a first and second pair of locking slots.
- the first pair of locking slots are spaced apart from the second pair of locking slots.
- each member of the pair of the locking slots of the third panel comprises a finger-receiving portion and a head-receiving portion.
- the finger-receiving portion is sized to allow the passage of the at least one finger portion and the head portion of the connection tab therethrough.
- the head-receiving portion is adapted to receive the head portion of the connection tab.
- the head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots of the third panel are aligned along a vertical axis extending generally parallel to the first and second edges of the third panel and the head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis; and wherein the head-receiving portions of the first and second pairs of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis and the finger-receiving portions of the first and second pairs of locking slots are offset along the vertical axis.
- the head-receiving and the finger receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots of the third panel are aligned along a vertical axis of the third panel.
- the head-receiving and the finger receiving portions of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis and the head-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots and the head-receiving portion of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis.
- the finger-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots and the finger-receiving portion of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis.
- the third panel further comprises a third and fourth spaced apart edges.
- the third and fourth edges extend between the first and second edges of the third panel.
- the width of the third edge along a horizontal axis extending generally perpendicularly to the first and second edges of the third panel is greater than the width of the fourth edge along the horizontal axis.
- a kit for a display that further comprises a fourth panel.
- the fourth panel has a first and second edge and one set of locking slots adapted to receive the connection tabs of the first or second panel when the fourth panel is generally perpendicular to the first panel or the second panel.
- the set of locking slots is located between the first and second edge.
- each member of the pair of the locking slots of the fourth panel comprises a finger-receiving portion and a head-receiving portion.
- the finger-receiving portion is sized to allow the passage of the finger portion and the head portion of the connection tab therethrough.
- the head-receiving portion is adapted to receive the head portion of the connection tab.
- the head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots of the fourth panel are aligned along a vertical axis extending generally parallel to the first and second edges of the fourth panel.
- the head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis.
- the head-receiving portions of the first and second pairs of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis and the finger-receiving portions of the first and second pairs of locking slots are offset along the vertical axis.
- the head-receiving and the finger receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots of the fourth panel are aligned along a vertical axis of the fourth panel and the head-receiving and the finger receiving portions of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis.
- the head-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots and the head-receiving portion of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis and the finger-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots and the finger-receiving portion of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis.
- a display comprising first and second, generally vertical, panels.
- the first panel has a first and second edge, the first edge having at least one set of connection tabs extending therefrom.
- Each of the connection tabs includes a head portion extending from the first edge of the first panel and at least one elongated finger portion extending from the head portion.
- the second panel is oriented generally perpendicular to the first panel and has a first and second edge.
- the first edge has at least two spaced apart locking slots for receiving the set of connection tabs of the first panel therein, each locking slot including at least one finger-receiving portion and a head-receiving portion.
- the finger-receiving portion is sized to allow the passage of the at least one elongated finger portion and the head portion of one connection tab therethrough.
- the head-receiving portion receives the head portion of the connection tab and the head-receiving portion of the at least two locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis while the finger-receiving thereof are offset along the vertical axis.
- an expandable display comprising first and second, generally vertical, panels.
- the first panel has a first and second edge, the first edge having at least one set of connection tabs extending therefrom.
- Each of the connection tabs includes a head portion extending from the first edge of the first panel and at least one elongated finger portion extending from the head portion.
- the second panel is oriented generally perpendicular to the first panel and has a first and second edge, the first edge having a set of locking slots.
- the locking slots receive the set of connection tabs of the first panel and include first and second pairs of locking slots. The first pair of locking slots is spaced apart from the second pair of locking slots.
- the locking slots include at least one finger-receiving portion sized to allow the passage of the at least one elongated finger portion and the head portion of one connection tab therethrough, and a head-receiving portion receiving the head portion of the connection tab.
- the head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots are aligned along a vertical axis of the second panel and the head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis.
- the head-receiving portions of the first and second pairs of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis and the finger-receiving portions of the first and second pair of locking slots are offset along the vertical axis.
- the second edge of the first panel comprises a second set of connection tabs extending therefrom.
- each of the first and second set of connection tabs comprises a pair of connection tabs.
- Each pair includes a first member and a second, spaced apart, member.
- each first member of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is oriented in a first direction and each second member of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is oriented in a second direction.
- the first and second directions of the first and second members of one pair of connection tabs are opposite to one another.
- the first direction of the first members of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is the same.
- the first direction of the first members of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is opposite.
- the first and second edges of the first panel further comprises a first pair of spaced apart recesses proximal to the first pair of connection tabs and a second pair of spaced apart recesses proximal to the second pair of connection tabs.
- Each recess is adapted to receive a connection tab therein.
- the first and second members of the first pair of recesses are aligned along a horizontal axis extending generally perpendicularly to the first and second edges of the first panel with the first and second members of the second pair of connection tabs.
- the first and second members of the second pair of recesses are aligned along the horizontal axis with the first and second members of the first pair of connection tabs.
- the second edge of the second panel comprises a set of connection tabs extending therefrom.
- the display further comprises a third panel mounted to one of the first and second panel.
- the third panel has a first and second edge, the first edge having at least one set of locking slots receiving the connection tabs of the first panel or the second panel when the third panel mounted thereto.
- the third panel further comprises a third and fourth spaced apart edges extending between the first and second edges thereof.
- the width of the third edge along a horizontal axis extending generally perpendicularly to the first and second edges of the third panel is greater than the width of the fourth edge along the horizontal axis.
- the display further comprises a fourth panel mounted to the other of first and second panel.
- the fourth panel has a first and second edge and one set of locking slots adapted to receive the connection tabs of the other of first or second panel when the fourth panel is mounted thereto.
- a display comprising a shelf mounted to at least one of the first and second panel.
- a panel for a display comprising a first and second edge, the first edge having a set of connection tabs extending therefrom.
- Each of the connection tabs includes a head portion extending from the first edge of the first panel and at least one elongated finger portion extending from the head portion.
- the second edge of the first panel comprises a second set of connection tabs extending therefrom.
- each of the first and second set of connection tabs comprises a pair of connection tabs, each pair including a first member and a second, spaced apart, member.
- each first member of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is oriented in a first direction and each second member of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is oriented in a second direction.
- the first and second directions of the first and second members of one pair of connection tabs are opposite to one another.
- the first direction of the first members of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is the same.
- the first direction of the first members of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is opposite.
- a panel for a display comprising a first and second edge, the first edge having at least two locking slots for receiving the set of connection tabs of the first panel therein.
- Each locking slot includes at least one finger-receiving portion sized to allow the passage of the at least one elongated finger portion and the head portion of one connection tab therethrough.
- Each locking slot further includes a head-receiving portion receiving the head portion of the connection tab. The head-receiving portion of the at least two locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis and the finger-receiving portions are offset along the vertical axis.
- FIG. 1 is a front right perspective view of a portable exhibit display according to a first embodiment
- FIG. 2 is a front view of the portable exhibit display shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a front right perspective view of the portable exhibit display shown in FIG. 1 , with the arch and shelves removed for purposes of clarity;
- FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a back panel shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is a front right perspective view of the back panel shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the back panels shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of one tab shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 8 is a left elevation view of a side panel shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 9 is a rear right perspective view of the side panel shown in FIG. 8 ;
- FIG. 10 is an enlarged left elevation view of the top portion of the side panel shown in FIG. 8 ;
- FIG. 11 is a further enlarged left elevation view of the side panel shown in FIG. 8 illustrating the alignment of the tab receiving slots;
- FIG. 12 is a front right perspective view of the portable exhibit display shown in FIG. 1 with an additional panel adjacent one of the side panel in an unassembled configuration;
- FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the portable exhibit display shown in FIG. 12 with the additional panel in an assembled configuration
- FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a side panel and a back panel of the display shown in FIG. 1 , placed side by side;
- FIG. 15 is a right elevation view of the center support shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 16 is a right front perspective view of the center support of FIG. 15 ;
- FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a center support and a back panel of the display shown in FIG. 1 , placed side by side;
- FIG. 18 is a front elevation view of a front panel shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 19 is a right elevation view of a front panel shown in FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 20 is a right front perspective view of the left hand corner shelf shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 21 is a back right perspective view of the left hand corner shelf of FIG. 20 ;
- FIG. 22 is a bottom plan view of the left hand corner shelf of FIG. 20 showing the front lip unfolded;
- FIG. 23 is a front right perspective view of the rectangular shelf of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 24 is a bottom plan view of the rectangular shelf of FIG. 23 showing the side and front lips unfolded;
- FIG. 25 is a back left perspective view of the arch of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 26 is a top plan view of the arch of FIG. 25 in an unfolded configuration
- FIG. 27 is an enlarged perspective cross section view of the back panel shown in FIG. 1 showing the folding line;
- FIG. 28 is a front right perspective view of the left front panel and the left side panel of the display shown in FIG. 1 in an unassembled configuration
- FIG. 29 is a front right perspective view of the left front panel and the left side panel of FIG. 28 in an assembled configuration
- FIG. 30 is an enlarged front right perspective view of the left back panel and the center support of the display shown in FIG. 1 in an unassembled configuration
- FIG. 31 is an enlarged front right perspective view of the of the left back panel and the center support shown in FIG. 30 in an assembled configuration
- FIG. 32 is a front right perspective view of the display shown in FIG. 1 showing the assembly of the left back panel and the left side panel;
- FIG. 33 is a front right perspective view of the display shown in FIG. 32 showing the assembly of the center support to the left back panel;
- FIG. 34 is a front right perspective view of the display shown in FIG. 33 showing the assembly of the right back panel to the center support and the left back panel;
- FIG. 35 is a front right perspective view of the display shown in FIG. 34 showing the right back panel assembled to the center support and the left back panel;
- FIG. 36 is an enlarged front right perspective view of the display sown in FIG. 35 , showing the arrangement of tabs, recess and locking slots;
- FIG. 37 is a front right perspective view of the display shown in FIG. 35 showing the assembly of the right side panel to the right back panel;
- FIG. 38 is a front right perspective view of the display shown in FIG. 37 in an assembled configuration
- FIG. 39 is a front right perspective view of the display shown in FIG. 1 showing the assembly of a front panel to the side panel;
- FIG. 40 is a front right perspective view of a portable exhibit display according to an additional embodiment
- FIG. 41 is a front right perspective view of a portable exhibit display according to another embodiment.
- FIG. 42 is a front right perspective view of a portable exhibit display according to a further embodiment
- FIG. 43 is a front right perspective view of a portable exhibit display according to another embodiment.
- FIG. 44 is a front right perspective view of the portable exhibit display of FIG. 43 including shelves and arches.
- vertical and horizontal can be references to a Cartesian co-ordinate system in which the vertical direction generally extends in an “up and down” or “bottom to top” orientation on the page.
- upright can be used to refer to an object that is generally oriented upright or in a vertical direction.
- the horizontal direction generally extends in a “left to right” or “side to side” orientation on the page.
- Front typically refers to the surface, face or edge of an object generally oriented towards the lower left corner of the page or extending from the page towards the viewer; “back” typically refers to the surface, face or edge of an object generally oriented towards the upper right corner of the page or extending from the page away from the viewer; “left” typically refers to the surface, face or edge of an object generally oriented towards the left margin of the page; and “right” typically refers to the surface, face or edge generally oriented towards the right margin of the page.
- References to “top” generally refer to the surface, face or edge generally oriented towards the top or upper margin of the page, while “bottom” generally refers to the surface, edge or face generally oriented towards the bottom or lower margin of the page.
- the embodiments of the present invention are comprised of a number of members or components that have similar structures. It will be understood that for the corresponding structures of similar members of the display, such as, for example, side, back or front panels, each structure will be identified by an alphanumeric reference number wherein the letter will identify with which corresponding member the structure is associated.
- a portable, self-standing and versatile exposition display 10 is shown.
- the display 10 is designed to stand on a generally flat, horizontal, surface such as a floor or a stage (not shown).
- a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the display 10 could be adapted to fit on any horizontal surface such as, for example, a table or other surface.
- the display 10 includes two spaced-apart, generally parallel, upright or vertical side panels 12 a , 12 b , two adjacent, upright or vertical, back panels 14 a , 14 b extending between the side panels 12 a , 12 b and, as shown in FIG. 2 or 3 , defining a junction 15 therebetween.
- the display 10 further includes a center support 20 a connected to both back panels 14 a , 14 b , at the junction 15 thereof, and a pair of front panels 18 a , 18 b connected to the side panels 12 a , 12 b , respectively.
- a pair of shelves 21 a , 21 b and a rectangular shelf 23 a are provided in the display 10 .
- shelves 21 a , 21 b and 23 a can be used for displaying a variety of material such as products, wares or marketing material, such as, brochures, pamphlet, samples of commercial products and the like (not shown).
- An arch 16 a in mounted on the side panels 12 a , 12 b and extends therebetween, the arch 16 a being designed to accommodate a variety of displays, which can include, for example, a lighting assembly (not shown) for providing the display 10 with lighting or to illuminate displays within arch 16 a.
- the display 10 is further provided with at least one universal interlocking system for interlocking, interconnecting or connecting a combination of one or more of a side panel, a back panel, a center support or a front panel.
- Such components of the display when combined together with at least one universal interlocking system comprise the display system of the present invention.
- the side panels, back panels, center supports and front panels can be connected through the interlocking system so as to provide a user of the display 10 with the possibility of assembling displays in a plurality of configurations. Examples of the various configurations of the display system are provided in, for example, FIGS. 1 , 41 , 42 , 43 , and 44 .
- the universal interlocking system of the display 10 includes at least one connection assembly and at least one locking assembly; each connection and receiving/locking assemblies being provided in some combination thereon the panel components, as will become apparent below.
- the various components of display 10 can be made from a wide variety of suitable material, which is light, low cost and durable, such as fluted plastics or corrugated cardboard.
- suitable material which is light, low cost and durable, such as fluted plastics or corrugated cardboard.
- Material that is sturdy, durable and lightweight can be used including plastic, cardboard and sheet metal.
- Preferred materials are plastics such as, for example, CoroplastTM, CintarTM, ABS and similar types of materials that are commercially available.
- the various panels of display 10 are preferably cut from CoroplastTM using a machine tool controlled by a Computer Numerical Control (CNC). A skilled artisan will however acknowledge that such panels could be press cut from the sheet material using a die or by any suitable method known in the art.
- CNC Computer Numerical Control
- back panels 14 will be described. Since back panels 14 a and 14 b of the display 10 can be generally identical in configuration, it will be understood that the detailed depiction of the back panel 14 a will be sufficient for describing both panels 14 a and 14 b . It will be understood that the corresponding structures of panel 14 b are referred to on panel 14 b with the same alphanumeric reference number as panel 14 a but with the letter “a” replaced with the letter “b” so as to denote the corresponding structure. As shown in FIG.
- the back panel 14 a has a top edge 25 a , a bottom edge 27 a , a left side edge 29 a and a right side edge 31 a , spaced apart from edge 29 a .
- edges 25 b , 27 b , 29 b and 31 b the same structures on panel 14 b will be referred to as edges 25 b , 27 b , 29 b and 31 b .
- the side edges 29 a and 31 a extend between the edges 25 a , 27 a and are provided with first and second connection assemblies 33 a and 35 a , respectively.
- the back panel 14 a further includes a front or first face 28 a and an opposed, back or second face 30 a (not shown) defining a thickness therebetween.
- the back panel 14 a has a height H and a width W.
- the height H and the width W could vary without departing from the scope of the invention.
- the height H and the width W are 80 inches and 287 ⁇ 8 inches, respectively.
- the second edge connection assembly 35 a includes four spaced-apart mounting tabs 52 a to 55 a , four spaced-apart tab-receiving recesses 56 a to 59 a and two stabilising tabs 61 a , 62 a .
- the tabs 52 a to 55 a form an integral structure with the back panel 14 a and extend away from the right edge 31 a .
- the second connection assembly 35 a is also provided with one upper hook 63 a and one upper tab-receiving recess 64 a , the upper hook 63 a and the upper tab-receiving recess 64 a being adapted to mate with the upper hook-receiving recess 51 b and the upper tab 50 b , respectively of the adjacent back panel 14 b , as shown in FIG. 6 .
- panel 14 b can be generally identical in configuration to panel 14 a .
- the first edge connection assembly 33 b of panel 14 b is provided on the left side edge 29 b of the back panel 14 b and includes four spaced-apart mounting tabs 36 b to 39 b , four spaced-apart tab-receiving recesses 40 b to 43 b , two alignment tabs 44 b , 45 b , one upper tab 50 b and one upper hook-receiving recess 51 b .
- the second edge connection assembly 35 b of panel 14 b includes four spaced-apart mounting tabs 52 b to 55 b , four spaced-apart tab-receiving recesses 56 b to 59 b and two stabilising tabs 61 b , 62 b .
- the second edge connection assembly 35 b of panel 14 b is also provided with one upper hook 63 b and one upper tab-receiving recess 64 b , the upper hook 63 b and the upper tab-receiving recess 64 b.
- connection assembly 33 a As shown in FIG. 4 , mounting tabs 36 a to 39 a of connection assembly 33 a are aligned along a horizontal axis generally parallel to upper and lower edges 25 a and 27 a with the recesses 56 a to 59 a of the connection assembly 35 a .
- the spaced-apart tabs 52 a to 55 a of the connection assembly 35 a are similarly aligned with the recesses 40 a to 43 a of the connection assembly 33 a .
- This configuration of connections assemblies allows the accommodation of the mounting tabs of a second connection assembly (e.g. 35 a ) of a first back panel (e.g. 14 a ) within the tab-receiving recesses of a first connection assembly (e.g.
- connection assemblies also allows the accommodation of the mounting tabs of a first connection assembly (e.g. 33 a ) of a first panel within the tab-receiving recesses of a second connection assembly (e.g. 35 c ) of the third panel (e.g.
- FIG. 43 provides a series of four back panels 14 a to 14 d so linked.
- each of the tabs 52 a to 55 a of the second connection assembly of the first back panel 14 a are horizontally aligned with corresponding recesses 40 b to 43 b of the first connection assembly 33 b of the adjacent side panel 14 b .
- recesses 40 b to 43 b and tabs 52 a to 55 a can be any shape provided that they can mate with each other.
- the thickness of the panel 14 a and the alignment tabs 44 a , 45 a , 61 a and 62 a generally corresponds to the thickness of the side panels 12 a and 12 b , center support 20 a or front panels 18 a , 18 b.
- the bottom edge 27 a of the back panel 14 a defines a pair of spaced-apart feet 67 a , 69 a and a lower edge recess 68 a extending therebetween.
- the recess 68 a is adapted to accommodate irregularities of the horizontal surface on which the display 10 stands, and in one embodiment has a height from 5 ⁇ 8 inch and greater; more preferably 7 ⁇ 8 inch. Further, the configuration of feet 67 a , 69 a and recess 68 a provides an enhanced stability of the back panel 14 a on soft surfaces such as carpet.
- back panel 14 a further includes a plurality of generally T-shaped mounting slots 65 a distributed on panel 14 a for mounting shelves, such as, for example, 21 a , 21 b or 23 a , to the back panel 14 a in variable positions.
- slots can be generally any shape provided that the female (e.g. slot 65 a ) can mate with a male projection (e.g. tab 184 ; as shown in FIG. 21 ).
- the shelf-mounting slots 65 a could accommodate other types of display members such as, for instance, grid hooks.
- the shelf-mounting slots 65 a extend through the panel 14 a , between the front and back faces 28 a , 30 a of the back panel 14 a and can be distributed in any pattern, but preferably are distributed throughout the side panel 14 a in series of columns and row so as to accommodate shelves. As can be seen in FIG. 5 , there is provided a preferred arrangement of mounting slots 65 a in three columns (I, II, and III) and nine rows (IV to XII).
- the slots 65 a of each of rows IV to XII are generally aligned along the horizontal axis generally parallel to upper and lower edges 25 a and 27 a ; the slots 65 a of each column (I to III) are generally aligned along the vertical axis generally parallel to left and right edges 29 a and 31 a.
- each slot 65 a comprises an upper portion 71 a and a lower portion 72 a .
- the upper portion 71 a is wider as extending along the horizontal axis, than the lower portion 72 a .
- the wide portion 71 a is sized to allow the passage of a head portion 116 a and a pair of finger portion 112 a of a shelf-mount tab 114 a extending from the shelves 21 a (See FIG. 21 ).
- the narrower portion 72 a is adapted to receive the head portion 116 a of the shelf mounting tab 114 a while collaborating with the finger portions 112 a of the tab 114 a to prevent unwanted withdrawal of the shelf-mounting tab 114 a from the shelf mounting slot 65 a (See FIG. 21 ).
- the back panel 14 a additionally includes a plurality of generally circular holes 73 a distributed on panel 14 a . As with slots 65 a , holes 73 a extend through the panel 14 a , between the front and back faces 28 a , 30 a of the back panel 14 a and can be distributed in any pattern, but preferably in series of columns and row. As can be seen in FIG.
- holes 73 a of panel 14 a there is provided six columns and sixteen rows of holes 73 a of panel 14 a .
- the holes 73 a are designed to receive hook portions of display members such as a display basket (not shown).
- Also provided on panels 14 a and 14 b are a plurality of generally rectangular slots 74 a randomly distributed and designed to receive hook grids.
- shelf-mounting slots 65 a circular holes 73 a and rectangular slots 74 a
- the shelf-mounting slots 65 a , circular holes 73 a and rectangular slots 74 a could be configured differently.
- the number and position of the shelf-mounting slots 65 a in each column or row could vary.
- one or more of the tab-receiving slots 65 a , circular holes 73 a and rectangular slots 74 a may not be present without departing from the scope of this embodiment.
- FIG. 6 The mating or accommodation of panels 14 a and 14 b is best shown in FIG. 6 .
- the upper half of panels 14 a and 14 b are shown for clarity, but it will be understood that the lower halves or portions of panels 14 a and 14 b will be configured in a similar manner to that described below.
- Mounting tab 52 a of the second connection assembly 35 a of the back panel 14 a is accommodated in the recess 40 b of the first connection assembly 33 b of the adjacent back panel 14 b ;
- tab 36 b of the first connection assembly 33 b of the back panel 14 b is accommodated in the recesses 56 a of the second connection assembly 35 a of the back panel 14 a .
- FIG. 6 also provides that upper hook 50 b of the first connection assembly 33 b of the adjacent back panel 14 b is accommodated in the hook-receiving recess 64 a of the second connection assembly 35 a of the back panel 14 a.
- the back panels 14 a and 14 b could be alternated such that the second connection assembly 35 b of the back panel 14 b engages the first connection assembly 33 a of the back panel 14 a in a similar manner to that described above. It will also be understood that the first connection assembly 33 a of panel 14 a could be engaged with the second connection assembly of another panel segment (not shown) having a configuration of panel 14 a or 14 b . Similarly, it will be understood that the second connection assembly 35 b panel 14 b could be engaged with the first connection assembly of another panel segment (not shown) having the configuration of panel 14 a or 14 b . On this basis, it will be further understood that a plurality of back panels could be joined in the manner described herein.
- mounting tab 52 a is provided in FIG. 7 and will be described. Since mounting tabs 36 a to 39 a and 52 a to 55 a can be generally identical in configuration, except where noted below, it will be understood that the detailed depiction of the mounting tab 52 a will be sufficient for describing the remaining tabs.
- Mounting tab 52 a is generally L-shaped and includes a first head portion 80 a extending from the right side edge 31 a of back panel 14 a and a second distal finger portion 86 a extending from head portion 80 . As shown in FIG.
- the head portion 80 a is adapted to be received in the head-receiving portion (e.g. 156 a ) of a mounting slot (e.g. 141 a ) of a locking assembly (e.g. 140 a ), while the finger portion 86 a and the head portion 80 a are receivable through a second or finger receiving portion (e.g. 158 a ) of the tab-receiving slot (e.g. 141 a ).
- the distal finger portion 86 a of mounting tab 52 a is oriented towards the bottom edge 27 a (not shown) of panel 14 a and away from top edge 25 a (not shown).
- the head portion 80 a of the tab 52 a is provided with a generally semi-circular notch 83 a .
- the semi-circular notch 83 a facilitates the assembly of the display 10 , as will become apparent below. It will be understood that notch 83 a could be of any shape that would facilitate the assembly of the display 10 . It will be further understood that notch 83 a could also be replaces by a strap (not shown) or any such apparatus.
- the distal finger portions of tabs 36 a , 38 a , 52 a and 54 a are oriented towards the bottom edge 27 a of panel 14 a and away from top edge 25 a such that the opening of each corresponding U-shaped slots of tabs 36 a , 38 a , 52 a , 54 a are oriented towards bottom edge 27 a of panel 14 a and the closed portion of the U-shaped slots are oriented towards top edge 25 a .
- the distal finger portions of tabs 37 a , 39 a , 53 a and 55 a are oriented towards the top edge 25 a of panel 14 a and away from bottom edge 27 a such that the opening of each corresponding U-shaped slots of tabs 37 a , 39 a , 53 a and 55 a are oriented towards top edge 25 a of panel 14 a and the closed portions of the U-shaped slots are oriented towards bottom edge 27 a .
- first and second connection assemblies 33 and 35 of the back panel 14 are adapted to interlock with locking assemblies of the present invention, such as, for example locking assemblies 140 of the side panels 12 as shown in FIG. 8 .
- tabs 36 a to 39 a and 52 a to 55 a of panel 14 a could vary while maintaining their function.
- tab 52 a could be configured to have two distal finger portions (not shown), one distal finger portion oriented towards the bottom edge 27 a of panel 14 a and away from top edge 25 a , while another distal finger portion could be oriented towards the top edge 25 a of panel 14 a and away from bottom edge 27 a so as to define two generally U-shaped slots.
- the tabs 36 a to 39 a and 52 a to 55 a of panel 14 a can be generally any shape provided they can mate with an adapted female counterpart (e.g. slot or recess).
- connection tabs where the distal finger portions of the connection assemblies are generally oriented opposite one to another can be encompassed.
- each of the first and second edge connection assemblies could vary while achieving similar results such as, for example, where there is a mounting tab or hook in the first connection assembly such that a recess is generally aligned therewith along the horizontal axis.
- both side panels 12 a and 12 b of the display 10 can be generally identical in configuration, it will be understood that the detailed description of the side panel 12 a will be sufficient for describing both panels 12 a and 12 b . It will be understood that the corresponding structures of panel 12 a are referred to on panel 12 b with the same alphanumeric reference number but with the letter “b” in place of “a” so as to denote the corresponding structure. As shown in FIG.
- the side panel 12 a has a top edge 101 a , a bottom edge 103 a on which the side panel 12 a stands, a right side edge 105 a and a spaced apart left side edge 107 a , edges 105 a and 107 a extending generally perpendicular to the horizontal axis established by top and bottom edges 101 a and 103 a to define a height generally corresponding to the height of back panel 14 a or 14 b , while the right and left edges 105 a , 107 a of the side panel 12 a define a width.
- the first and second connection assemblies 33 a and 35 a of the back panel 14 a are further adapted to interlock with the locking assemblies 140 of the adjacent, generally perpendicular, side panels 12 .
- the width of the side panels need not correspond to the width of the back panels (See FIG. 1 , for example).
- the side panel 12 a has a height H and a width W.
- height H can be any height and the width W can be any width. In one example, the height H and the width W could be 80 inches and 223 ⁇ 4′′ inches, respectively.
- the side panel 12 a further includes first and second, opposed, side faces 109 a and 111 a , defining a thickness T′ therebetween.
- the side panel 12 a and the back panel 14 a are made from the same sheet material and therefore the thicknesses of each panel are generally identical.
- the bottom edge 107 a of the side panel 12 a is provided with a pair of spaced-apart feet 113 a , 115 a and recess 117 a extending therebetween.
- the recess 117 a of side panel 12 a fulfills a similar function to recess 68 a (see FIG. 4 ). More specifically, recess 117 a is adapted to accommodate therein irregularities of the horizontal surface on which the display 10 stands, having a height of 5 ⁇ 8 inch and greater and most preferably 7 ⁇ 8 inch.
- side panel 12 a may be provided without the feet 113 a , 115 a and the upward recess 117 a or having a recess 117 a of different shape and size while fulfilling the same purpose.
- connection assembly 121 a The right edge 105 a of the side panel 12 a is provided with a connection assembly 121 a .
- connection assembly 121 a of the side panel 12 a generally corresponds to the second connection assembly 35 a defined on the right edge 31 a of the back panel 14 a (see FIG. 4 ).
- connection assembly 121 a of the side panel 12 a having a generally similar configuration to that of the second connection assembly 35 a of the back panel 14 a
- the connection assembly 121 a need not be so configured and could be configured differently. For instance, the number and location of tabs and recesses of connection assembly 121 a could be different than those of connection assembly 35 a .
- connection assembly 121 a includes four spaced-apart tabs 122 a to 125 a , four spaced-apart tab-receiving recesses 127 a to 130 a and two alignment tabs 131 a , 132 a .
- the connection assembly 121 a is further provided with one upper hook 133 a and one upper tab-receiving recess 135 a , the upper hook 133 a and the upper tab-receiving recess 135 a being adapted to matedly connect with an upper hook-receiving recess 51 c and the upper tab 50 c of an adjacent panel 14 c , as best shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 .
- the tabs 122 a to 125 a of the connection assembly 121 a form an integral structure with the side panel 12 a.
- the side panel 12 a is also provided with a locking assembly 140 a , adapted to interlock with the connection assemblies of; for example, the back panels 14 a and/or 14 b .
- the locking assembly 140 a is generally located proximal to the left edge 107 a of the side panel 12 a and includes a plurality of tab receiving slots 141 a to 144 a and 145 a to 148 a , adapted to receive the tabs 36 a to 39 a , 36 b to 39 b , 52 a to 55 a and 52 b to 55 b of the first and second connection assemblies 33 a , 35 a .
- Each slot 141 a to 144 a and 145 a to 148 a extends between the first and second faces 109 a ( FIG. 8) and 111 a ( FIG. 9 ) of the side panel 12 a .
- the tab receiving slots 141 a to 144 a and 145 a to 148 a of the locking assembly 140 a are horizontally aligned with at least one of the recesses 127 a to 130 a or mounting tabs 122 a to 125 a of the connection assembly 121 a .
- the locking assembly 140 a also includes four alignment slots 150 a to 153 a .
- Each alignment slot 150 a to 153 a is vertically aligned with the receiving portions 156 a and 161 a , as described below, of the tab-receiving slots 141 a to 144 a and 145 a to 148 a between lines A-A and A′-A′ (shown in FIG. 10 ) and is adapted to receive alignment tabs 44 a , 45 a 61 a and 62 a of a connection assemblies 33 a , 35 a .
- the alignment slots 150 a to 153 a comprise generally rectangular (elongated along the vertical axis generally parallel to sides 105 a and 107 a ) apertures through the first and second faces 109 a , 111 a of the side panel 12 a.
- slots 141 a , 143 a , 145 a and 147 a comprise uppercase generally P shaped (P-shaped) slots while slots 142 a , 144 a , 146 a and 148 a comprise lowercase generally D shaped (d-shaped) slots.
- Each of the generally P-shaped slots ( 141 a and 143 a ; 145 a and 147 a ) includes a head-receiving portion 156 a and a finger-receiving portion 158 a (see FIG. 11 ).
- the head-receiving portion 156 a of the generally P-shaped slots extends towards the right edge 105 a and has an outer edge 157 a extended further thereto than the outer edge 159 a of the finger-receiving portion 158 a .
- Each of the generally d-shaped slots ( 142 a and 144 a ; 146 a and 148 a ) is the inverse mirror image or the reversed mirror image of the generally P-shaped slots as each further comprises a head-receiving portion 161 a (see FIG. 11 ) and a finger-receiving portion 163 a (see FIG. 11 ).
- the head-receiving portion 161 a of the generally d-shaped slots extends towards the left edge 107 a and has an outer edge 165 a extended further thereto than the outer edge 167 a of finger-receiving portion 163 a.
- edge 165 a is aligned along a vertical axis parallel to the edges 105 a and 107 a (extending between lines A-A and A′-A′, as seen in FIG. 10 ) with edge 159 a and the edge 157 a is aligned with the edge 167 a .
- FIGS. 11 the edge 165 a is aligned along a vertical axis parallel to the edges 105 a and 107 a (extending between lines A-A and A′-A′, as seen in FIG. 10 ) with edge 159 a and the edge 157 a is aligned with the edge 167 a .
- edges 157 a and 167 a of first receiving portions 156 a and 161 a are aligned along the vertical axis parallel to the edges 105 a and 107 a such that the head receiving portions 156 a and 161 a are aligned, while the finger receiving portions 158 a and 163 a are offset or staggered along the vertical axis so as to define an offset slot arrangement.
- FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the upper half of side panel 12 a .
- an upper stabilizing recess 160 a is also aligned with the head-receiving portion 156 a of the slots 141 a , 145 a , 146 a and 142 a , along lines A-A and A′-A′.
- the stabilizing recess 160 a is generally rectangular, vertically elongated and extends downwardly from the top edge 101 a of the side panel 12 a .
- the stabilizing recess 160 a is adapted to simultaneously receive the upper tab 50 of a first connection assembly 33 of a panel and the upper hook 63 of a second connection assembly 35 of an adjacent panel.
- the upper stabilizing recess 160 a cooperates with the upper hook 63 or the upper tab 50 to prevent unwanted movement (e.g. bending) of the top edge 25 of a back panel 14 , such as that due to, for example, the display of material on a shelf 21 a , 21 b or 23 mounted proximate to the top edge 25 , as, for instance, shelf 21 a shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
- Proximate to the top edge 101 a of the side panel 12 a are found two pairs of spaced-apart, horizontally aligned, arch-mounting slots 171 a , 173 a and 175 a , 177 a .
- Each member of the first pair of arch mounting slots 175 a and 177 a are lowercase Q shaped (q-shaped) slots, while each member of the second pair of arch mounting slots 171 a , 173 a are uppercase P (P-shaped) slots.
- slots 171 a , 173 a are located in an intermediate region between the first arch-mounting slots 175 a , 177 a and the upper stabilizing recess 160 .
- Each arch mounting slot 171 a , 173 a , 175 a , 177 a includes a generally vertical, elongated, finger-receiving portion 166 a and a narrower head-receiving portion 168 a as seen in FIG. 10 and similar in configuration to the slots previously described.
- the finger- and head-receiving portions 166 a , 168 a are adapted to allow the passage of a head portion 170 of a leg 172 of the arch 16 and to receive a finger portion 174 of the leg 172 of the arch 16 , in a slip fit engagement fashion.
- the side panel 12 a includes a plurality of T-shaped shelf-mounting slots 176 a for mounting shelves thereto in variable positions.
- the shelf-mounting slots 176 a extend between the first and second faces 109 a , 111 a of the side panel 12 a and are distributed in a similar manner to that described with reference to FIG. 5 , such as, for example, defining columns and rows. In a preferred embodiment, there are three columns and nine rows, the slots 176 a being aligned therein.
- the rows of the side panel 12 a are horizontally aligned with rows of the back panel 14 a when the side and back panels 12 a , 14 a are interlocked with one another.
- This particular configuration of the slots 65 a and 176 a allows the levelled assembly of shelves having side and back mounting tabs 182 , 184 to the display 10 , such as the shelves 21 a and 21 b , as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the side panel 12 a is also provided with a plurality of generally circular holes 186 a and rectangular slots 188 a randomly distributed, the circular holes 186 a and the rectangular slots 188 a extending between the first face 109 a and the second face 111 a of the side panel 12 a .
- the function of circular holes 186 a and rectangular slots 188 a of the side panel 12 a is similar to the function of circular holes 73 a and rectangular slots 74 a of the back panel 14 a.
- the slots 141 a , 145 a and 146 a and 142 a are adapted to allow the passage of the mounting tabs of connection assemblies therethrough.
- This arrangement provides that when forced is applied to move the mounting tabs within the slots, the U-shaped slot 81 slip fits the side panel 12 a . More specifically, the head portion 80 a is also engaged in a slip fit arrangement with head receiving portion 156 a and 161 a .
- the force may be applied by a user through the insertion of a finger through notch 83 a and applying force thereto as to move the tab into the slip fit arrangement noted above.
- the finger receiving portions 158 a of the slot 141 a extends downwardly from the head receiving portion 156 a to define a P-shape while the finger receiving portion 161 a of the slots 146 a extends upwardly to define a d-shape.
- the offset configuration of P and d slots allows a panel having a connection assembly to perpendicularly engage with the locking assembly 140 a of the side panel 12 a to create an L-shaped assembly that can remain erect, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 12 and 13 , while limiting horizontal and vertical movement relative to each panel.
- the connection assembly 33 a of panel 14 a engages with the locking assembly 140 a of the side panel 12 a the horizontal and vertical movement of each panel relative to one another will be limited, thus conferring to the display 10 enhanced stability.
- the particular configuration of the locking assembly 140 a has the advantage of providing simultaneously a front and back support for the interlocked back or side panel 14 , 12 .
- FIGS. 12 and 13 show a side panel 12 a being aligned with back panel 14 c so that it can be connected via connection assembly 121 a and locking assembly 33 c so as to extend the display 10 .
- the panels 12 a and 14 c are connected by the locking assembly of panel 18 a (described below).
- side panel 12 a has been connected to panel 14 c so as to further expand the display 10 via panel 18 a .
- the display 10 can be expanded in a plurality of directions resulting in a plurality of configurations, only one possibility being shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , 12 and 13 . Other possibilities are provided in FIGS. 41 to 44 .
- the center support 20 a of the display 10 includes a first or top edge 190 a , a second or bottom edge 192 a a third or right edge 194 a extending between the top and bottom edges 190 a , 192 a and a fourth or left edge 196 a .
- the edge 196 a is extending angularly between bottom edge 192 a and top edge 190 a , being wider near the bottom edge 192 a and narrower at the top edge 190 a and tapering from the bottom edge 192 a to the top edge 190 a . It will be understood by a person skilled in the relevant art that the shape of center support 20 a can vary.
- center support 20 a could also be generally L-shaped or any shape that would provide forward lean stability, provided that the bottom edge 192 a is generally wider than top edge 190 a in that its width extending along a horizontal axis parallel to bottom edge 192 a and top edge 190 a extends further that the width of top edge 192 a along the same horizontal axis.
- the center support 20 a will provide the display 10 with improved stability to prevent forward leaning thereof, since it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the assembly of shelves 21 a , 21 b and 23 and display of promotional material thereon will tend to induce such forward leaning of the display 10 .
- the center support 20 a includes a locking assembly 201 a that can be similar in configuration to the locking assembly 140 a of the side panel 12 a .
- the locking assembly 201 a extends generally along the back edge 194 a of the center support 20 a.
- the locking assembly 201 a is comprised of a plurality of lower Q shaped (q-shaped) slots 211 a , 213 a , 225 a and 239 a , and d-shaped slots 219 a , 223 a , 235 a and 237 a . There is also provided a plurality of alignment slots 215 a , 217 a , 231 a and 233 a . In the case of the locking assembly 201 a , each of the generally d-shaped slots is the mirror image (along the horizontal axis) of the generally q-shaped slots.
- each of the q- and d-shaped slots further comprises a finger receiving portion and a head receiving portion.
- the slots of locking assembly 201 a are not provided in the offset slot arrangement. Instead, the finger receiving portions of each of the q- and d-shaped slots are aligned. Further, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 , the alignment slots 215 a , 217 a , 231 a and 233 a are offset from the finger receiving portions of each of the q- and d-shaped slots.
- the alignment slots of locking assembly 201 are aligned vertically with the head receiving portions of each of the q- and d-shaped slots. This arrangement provides that when the connection assemblies of side or back panels are connected to the centre panel 20 a , any forward motion (e.g. forward lean) of the panel segments will cause the head receiving portions of slots 211 a , 213 a , 255 a and 239 a to remain in the slip fit configuration thus providing increased stability.
- any forward motion e.g. forward lean
- the center support 20 a is also provided with a plurality of generally T-shaped slots 198 a .
- the generally T-shaped slots 198 a are generally identical in configuration and location within center support 20 a as the slots of panels 12 a , 14 a and 14 b , which therefore does not require further description.
- the slots 198 a are distributed so as to be in an aligned configuration with the slots 65 a and 176 a of the back and side panels 14 a , 12 a , upon assembly of the display 10 , as, shown, for example, in FIG. 17 . As can be seen from FIGS.
- the bottom edge 192 a of the center support 20 a defines a pair of spaced-apart feet 203 a , 205 a and an upward recess 202 a extending therebetween.
- the purpose of the feet 203 a , 205 a is generally similar to back and side panels 14 a , 12 a , which therefore does not require further description.
- the front panel 18 a will be described.
- the front panels 18 a , 18 b having the same configuration such that only the front panel 18 a will be described. Since back panels 18 a and 18 b can be generally identical in configuration, it will be understood that the detailed depiction of the front panel 18 a will be sufficient for describing both panels 18 a and 18 b . It will be understood that the corresponding structures of panel 18 a are referred to on panel 18 b with the same alphanumeric reference number but with the letter “b” instead of “a” so as to denote the corresponding structure. With reference to FIG.
- the front panel 18 a generally includes a top edge 204 a , a bottom edge 206 a having a pair of spaced apart feet 208 a , 209 a and a recess 210 a extending therebetween, and a pair of first and second, generally straight, side edges 212 a , 214 a extending between the top and bottom edges 204 a , 206 a (not shown).
- the front panel further includes a first face 216 a (not shown) and a second, opposed face 218 a .
- the front panel 18 a further includes a locking assembly 221 a generally identical to the locking assembly 201 as previously described, the locking assembly 221 a extending along the side edge 212 a of the front panel 18 a .
- the locking assembly 221 a is generally located proximal to the right edge 212 a of the panel 18 a and includes a plurality of tab receiving slots 225 a , 229 a , 237 a , 241 a , 243 a , 245 a , 251 a and 253 a , adapted to receive the tabs of the connection assemblies provided on various panel segments.
- Each slot of the locking assembly 221 a extends between the first and second faces 216 a and 218 a of the panel 18 a .
- Each alignment slot 231 a , 235 a , 247 a and 249 a is vertically aligned with head-receiving portions as described above with respect to locking assembly 140 a .
- the tab-receiving slots 225 a , 229 a , 237 a , 241 a , 243 a , 245 a , 251 a and 253 a are adapted to receive tabs of the connect assemblies of various panels.
- the alignment slots 231 a , 235 a , 247 a and 249 a are similar in configuration to the alignment slots noted above with respect to locking assembly 140 a , and as such, will not be described further.
- the front panel 18 a includes a plurality of generally T-shaped slots 220 a .
- the generally T-shaped slots 220 a are generally identical in configuration and location within center front panel 18 a as the slots within panels 12 a , 14 a , 14 b and 20 , which therefore does not require further description.
- the slots 220 a are distributed so as to be in an aligned configuration with the rows of the side and back panels 12 a , 14 a upon assembly of the display 10 .
- the front panels 18 a , 18 b are respectively connected to side panels 12 a , 12 b .
- front panels 18 a , 18 b being configured similarly (they are mirror images as in that the panel 18 a is flipped, inverted or rotated 180° along the vertical axis to be panel 18 b )
- their assembly with the side panels 12 a , 12 b differs in that the front or first face 218 a of the front panel 18 a adjoins the front edge 105 a of the side panel 12 a
- the back or second face 216 b of the front panel 18 b is adjoining the front edge 126 b of the side panel 12 b
- the front panels 18 a and 18 b being mirror images of one another upon assembly of the side panels 12 a , 12 b.
- FIG. 19 there is provided front panel 18 c . Since panel 18 c can be generally similar in configuration with panels 18 a and 18 b , it will be understood that the detailed depiction of the front panel 18 a will be sufficient for describing panel 18 c . It will be understood that the corresponding structures of panel 18 a are referred to on panel 18 c with the same alphanumeric reference number but with the letter “c” instead of “a” so as to denote the corresponding structure. It will be seen from FIG. 19 that the locking assembly 221 c of panel 18 c is provided along the horizontal center of the panel. This is different than front panels 18 a and 18 b where the locking assembly is disposed towards the edge 212 a or 212 b .
- the locking assembly 221 c includes a plurality of tab receiving slots 225 c , 229 c , 237 c , 241 c , 243 c , 245 c , 251 c and 253 c , adapted to receive the tabs of the connection assemblies provided on various panel segments.
- Each slot of the locking assembly 221 c extends between the first and second faces 216 c and 218 c of the panel 18 c .
- Each alignment slot 231 c , 235 c , 247 c and 249 c is vertically aligned with the first or head receiving portions as described above with respect to locking assembly 140 a .
- the tab-receiving slots 225 c , 229 c , 237 c , 241 c , 243 c , 245 c , 251 c and 253 c are adapted to receive tabs of the connection assemblies of various panels.
- the alignment slots 231 c , 235 c , 247 c and 249 c are similar in configuration to the alignment slots noted above with respect to locking assembly 140 a in that they are provided in the offset arrangement, and as such, will not be described further.
- the front panel 18 c is also provided with two columns of generally T-shaped slots 220 c .
- the generally T-shaped slots 220 c are generally identical in configuration within front panel 18 c as the slots with other panels noted herein, which therefore do not require further description, except that there are two columns.
- the slots 220 c are distributed so as to be in an aligned configuration with the rows of the side and back panels 12 c , 14 c upon assembly of the display 11 . As can be seen in FIG. 44 , the provision of two columns of slots 220 c allow for the assembly of additional shelves 21 c and 21 d.
- each back panel 14 a , side panel 12 a , center support 20 a and front panels 18 a is provided with a generally horizontal folding line 500 a , 502 a , 504 a and 506 a , respectively.
- each of the folding lines 500 a , 502 a , 504 a and 506 a are generally similar and fulfills an identical function, only the folding line 500 a will be described in connection with the back panel 14 a .
- a person skilled in the art will recognise that a similar description also applies to folding lines 502 a , 504 a and 506 a.
- the folding line 500 a is generally equidistant from the edge 25 a and edge 27 a of the back panel 14 a and is aimed to allow folding of the back panel 14 a in two parts.
- the folding line 500 a is defined by a partial cut extending linearly between the side edges 29 a , 31 a , generally parallel to the edge 25 a . Since the back panel 14 a is made from fluted plastic, the folding line may be produced by defining a generally straight cut on one of the front or back face 28 a , 30 a while keeping the integrity of the other of the front or back faces 28 a , 30 a .
- a folding line could be produced through weakening an area such as, for example, by creating a perforation or crimping the sheet material.
- the back panel could be made from two distinct sections connected to one another by a hinge or mounted with H-shaped connectors.
- the shelves 21 a , 21 b are generally each trapezoidal but it will be understood that other shapes, such as generally triangular would also be possible.
- the shelves 21 a , 21 b have the same configuration such that only the shelf 21 a will be described. Since shelves 21 a and 21 b can be generally identical in configuration, it will be understood that the detailed depiction of the shelf 21 a will be sufficient for describing both shelves 21 a and 21 b . It will be understood that the corresponding structures of panel 21 a are referred to on panel 21 b with the same alphanumeric reference number but with the letter “b” instead of “a” so as to denote the corresponding structure. As shown in FIG.
- shelf 21 a has a first edge 222 a , a second edge 224 a , generally parallel to the first edge 222 a , a third edge 226 a extending perpendicularly between the first and second edges 222 a , 224 a and a fourth edge 228 a angularly extending from first edge 222 a to second edge 224 a .
- the edge 228 a extends from the first edge 222 a of the shelf 21 a with a first angle of varying degrees relative to the size of the display, but should be 45 degrees or less.
- the angular edge 228 a and the first edge 224 a define a second angle of varying degrees relative to the size of the display or 135 degrees or less.
- the first and second angles could however be configured in a manner, as it will be appreciated below, adapted to the relative width of the side panel 12 a , back panel 14 a and front panel 18 a to which the shelf 21 a is mounted.
- the first edge 222 a , the second edge 224 a , the third edge 226 a and the fourth edge 228 a define a top, display face 230 a upon which material can be placed, and a second, bottom face 232 a (see FIG. 22 ).
- Extending away from display face 230 a is lower flange or lip 227 a .
- Flange 227 a reinforces the shelf 21 a such that it reduces or prevents unwanted bending or flexing of the shelf 21 a when material is placed thereon.
- the shelf 21 a is folded from a blank 234 a (best shown in FIG. 22 ) having lip 236 a extending from the angular edge 228 a .
- the lip 236 a is folded to form flange 227 a and includes a rectangular, elongated, first portion 238 a having a first edge 240 a flexibly connected to the angular edge 228 a and a second edge 242 a flexibly connect to a first edge of second portion 244 a .
- Second portion 244 a also has a second edge 248 a . From the second edge 248 a of the portion 244 a is flexibly extending a fastening portion 250 a .
- the fastening portion 250 a collaborates with the bottom face 232 a of the shelf 21 a to maintain the flange 227 a in a folded position. More specifically, the bottom face 232 a and the fastening portion 250 a are both provided with fastening means, such as, for example, complementary hook-and-loop fasteners 258 a , 260 a (e.g. VelcroTM).
- fastening means such as, for example, complementary hook-and-loop fasteners 258 a , 260 a (e.g. VelcroTM).
- hook-and-loop fasteners 258 a , 260 a could suitably be replaced by snap fasteners or other releasable fasteners known in the art.
- the hook-and-loop fastener 260 a of the fastening portion 250 a engages the complementary hook-and loop fastener 258 a of the bottom face 232 a , therefore providing a releasable fastener.
- This particular configuration enables the unfolding of the lip 236 a to obtain a generally flat blank 234 a therefore facilitating the packaging and transport of the shelf 21 a . Further, the lip 236 a could be taken away from shelf 21 a without departing from the scope of the embodiment.
- the shelf 21 a is provided with a plurality of shelf mounting tabs 114 a .
- the shelf mounting tabs 114 a are distributed in three sets, namely the side mounting tabs 182 a , the back mounting tabs 184 a and the front mounting tabs 162 a .
- the shelf 21 a includes three, generally T-shaped, back mounting tabs 184 a , three generally L-shaped side mounting tabs 182 a and one generally T-shaped front mounting tab 162 a .
- the tabs 182 a , 184 a , and 162 a each include at least one finger portion 112 a and a head portion 116 a and are designed to simultaneously engage the tab mounting slots 176 a , 65 a and 198 a of the side, back and front panels 12 a , 14 a and 18 a , respectively.
- the head portions 116 a of tabs 182 a , 184 a and 162 a are sized to slip fit engagement in the head-receiving portions 72 a of the tab mounting slots 176 a , 65 a and 220 a while the finger portion 112 a is adapted to pass through the finger-receiving portion 71 a for allowing the assembly of the shelf 21 a to the side, back and front panels 12 a , 14 a , 18 a .
- the L-shaped tabs are so configured to allow the shelves to be inserted in the following order: 184 a , 182 a and 162 a . When assembled with side and front panels, tab 162 a engages in the slot 220 c to provide additional stability to the display 10 .
- the shelf 23 ( FIGS. 23 and 24 ) is generally rectangular but it will be understood that other shapes, such as generally square would also be possible.
- the rectangular shelf 23 includes a first or back edge 266 , a second or front edge 268 , generally parallel with first edge 266 and two side edges 270 , 272 extending perpendicularly between the front and back edges 266 , 268 .
- the front, back and side edges define a rectangular top face 274 on which promotional material can be displayed, and a bottom face 276 (see FIG. 24 ).
- the rectangular shelf 23 further includes a pair of lateral lips 278 , 279 extending downwardly from the top face 274 at each side edge 270 , 272 , and a front lip 280 , similarly extending downwardly from the top face 274 , but from the front edge 268 thereof.
- the flanges or lips 278 , 279 and 280 are aimed to provide increased strength to the rectangular shelf 23 and prevent undue bending thereof upon display of promotional material.
- the side lips 278 , 279 are designed to adjoin the front face 28 a of the back panel 14 a (or the second face 111 a of the side panel 12 a ) so as to provide additional support to the shelf 23 upon assembly to the display 10 .
- shelf 23 is folded from a blank 264 having a front lip 280 , which forms an integral structure with the rectangular shelf 23 .
- the front lip 280 of the rectangular shelf 23 generally includes a rectangular, elongated, first or front portion 282 having a first or top edge 284 flexibly connected to the edge 268 and a second or bottom edge 286 .
- the front lip 280 also includes a second portion 288 having a first top edge 290 flexibly connected to the bottom edge 286 of the front portion 282 and a second or bottom edge 292 . From the bottom edge 292 of the second portion 288 is flexibly extending a fastening portion 294 .
- hinge means is provided through lines 296 , 298 and 300 to weaken the strength of the sheet material there along and therefore providing increased flexibility.
- the fastening portion 294 of the front lip 280 collaborates with the bottom face 276 thereof to maintain the lip 280 in a folded position.
- the bottom face 276 and the fastening portion 294 of lip 280 are both provided with complementary hook-and-loop fasteners 302 , 304 , such as VelcroTM.
- the hook-and-loop fasteners 302 , 304 collaborate with one another to prevent undesired unfolding of the lip 280 while permitting unfolding for disassembly.
- the side lip 278 includes a first side portion 306 having a first or top edge 308 connected to the side edge 270 of the shelf 23 and a bottom edge 310 and a second side portion 312 .
- the portion 312 includes a bottom end 314 flexibly connected to the bottom end 310 of the side portion 306 , and a top end 316 . From the top end 316 of the internal portion 312 extends a fastening portion 318 .
- the side lip 278 forms an integral structure with the rectangular shelf 23 .
- hinge means is provided through dotted lines 320 , 322 , 324 to weaken the strength of the sheet material therealong and therefore providing increased flexibility.
- the fastening portion 318 of the side lip 278 collaborates with the bottom face 276 thereof to maintain the lip 280 in a folded position.
- the bottom face 276 and the fastening portion 318 of lip 278 are both provided with complementary hook-and-loop fasteners 326 , 328 .
- the side lip 278 Upon folding, the side lip 278 generally defines a tapering profile having a panel adjoining end 330 , a distal end 332 , the side edge 266 of the rectangular shelf 23 and bottom end 310 of external side portion 306 extending therebetween.
- the panel adjoining end 330 is relatively long while the distal end 332 is relatively short, both end extending generally vertically.
- the panel adjoining end 330 adjoins the front surface 28 a of the back panel 14 a , therefore providing a vertical support to the rectangular shelf.
- the rectangular shelf 23 is provided with a plurality of generally T-shaped shelf mounting tabs 114 extending from the back edge 266 .
- the tabs 114 each include a finger portion 112 and a head portion 116 and are designed to simultaneously engage the tab mounting slots 176 a and 65 a of a particular row of the side or back and front panels 12 a , 14 a and 18 a , respectively.
- the head portion of tabs 114 is sized to slip fit engagement in the head-receiving portion 72 a of the tab mounting slots 176 and 65 a while the finger portion 112 is adapted to pass through the finger-receiving portion 71 a for allowing the assembly of the shelf 21 a to the side and back panels 12 a , 14 a.
- the arch 16 generally includes a first or front face 332 , a second or back face 334 including openings 336 , top and bottom faces 338 , 340 and two, opposed, side ends 342 , 344 .
- the arch 16 is made from a folded blank 354 .
- the blank 354 generally includes a front portion 356 and a back portion 358 connected to one another by a generally elongated, rectangular portion 360 that will define the top surface 338 of the arch 16 upon folding of the blank 354 , as it will be appreciated in greater details below.
- the rectangular centre portion 360 has a relatively large front edge 362 , a parallel, back edge 364 and two relatively short side edges 366 , 368 extending between said front and back edges 362 , 364 .
- a folding line 372 defining a right and a left top surface 374 , 376 of the arch 16 upon folding of the blank 354 (As seen in FIG. 25 ).
- the front portion 356 of the blank 354 includes a right front portion 378 and a left, adjacent portion 379 .
- the left and right front portions 378 , 379 being merely mirror images of one another and generally similar in configuration, it will be understood that the detailed depiction of the right front portion 378 will be sufficient for describing both front portions 378 , 379 .
- the back portion 358 of the blank 354 includes a right back portion 380 and a left, adjacent back portion 381 , the left and right back portions 380 , 381 being merely mirror images of one another along one axis and mirror images of the front portions 378 , 379 respectively.
- the right front portion 378 of the blank 354 is provided with a right front panel 382 , a bottom flap panel 384 , a first, upper, leg flap panel 386 and a second, lower, flap panel 388 .
- the leg flap panel 386 is provided with hook-and-loop fastener adapted to matedly connect with corresponding hook-and-loop fasteners provided on another leg flap panel 386 .
- lower flap panel 388 is provided with hook-and-loop fastener adapted to matedly connect with a corresponding hook-and-loop fasteners provided on another lower flap panel 388 .
- the flap panels 386 and 388 contribute to maintain the shape of the arch 16 upon folding of the blank 354 .
- the right front panel 382 has a generally L-shape and includes a core portion 390 and a leg portion 392 .
- the core portion 390 includes a first side end 394 defined by an angular edge 396 , and a second opposed end 398 , to which is connected to the leg portion 392 , as described below.
- the core portion 390 further includes a top edge 400 having a length L corresponding to the distance separating the folding line 372 and the side edge 368 of the rectangular portion 360 , and a bottom edge 402 .
- the top edge of the core portion 400 a is flexibly connected to the front edge 362 of the center portion 360 , between the folding line 372 and the side edge 368 thereof.
- the angular edge 396 of the core portion 390 extends from the top edge 400 thereof, at a location proximal to the folding line 372 , away from the center portion 360 .
- the angular edge 396 defines and angle with a virtual line extending from the folding line 372 , so as to allow bending of the center portion 360 upon folding of the blank 354 , as it will be described in the details below.
- the bottom flap panel 384 has a generally rectangular shape defined by a front edge 404 , an opposed back edge 406 and two side edges 408 , 410 extending therebetween.
- the front edge 404 a of the bottom flap panel 384 a is flexibly connected to the bottom edge 402 of the core portion 390 .
- the back portion 358 is provided with openings 336 defined on the core portion 390 of the back portions 380 and 381 .
- the left back portion 381 is provided with and stabilising panel 416 flexibly extending from the edge 396 of the bottom flap panel 384 .
- the stabilising panel 416 is provided with hook-and-loop fastener adapted to mate a complementary hook-and-loop fastener provided on the bottom flap panel 380 of the right back portion 378 d so as to maintain the shape of the arch 16 upon folding of the blank 354 .
- FIGS. 28 to 39 the assembly of the display 10 will be described.
- the side 216 a of front panel 18 a is connected to the edge 105 a of the side panel 12 a .
- a user first engages the upper hook 133 a of the side panel 12 a in the upper recess 160 a of the front panel 18 a and moves the panels vertically relative to one another such that the finger portion 86 a of the upper hook 133 a engages the first and second faces 214 a and 216 a of the front panel 18 a within the U-shaped slot 81 a so as to prevent unwanted removal of the upper hook 133 a from the upper recess 160 a .
- the finger portion 86 a of the first tab 122 a of the connection assembly 121 a is then inserted into one of the slots of locking assembly 221 a .
- connection assembly 121 a is inserted into the corresponding slots of the locking assembly 221 a .
- the slots 229 a , 237 a , 245 a and 251 a will be engaged with tabs 122 a , 123 a , 124 a and 125 a respectively, as shown in FIG. 29 .
- slots 231 a and 247 a will be engaged with alignment tabs 131 a and 132 a .
- slots 225 a , 235 a , 241 a , 243 a , 249 a and 253 a will be unoccupied and therefore be available for engagement with the connection assemblies of other panel members due to the configuration previously described.
- the user gently slides via notches 83 the tabs 122 a to 125 a in the slots of the locking assembly 221 a such that the U-shaped slot 81 a of the tabs 122 a to 125 a slip fit engage the locking assembly slots of panel 18 a .
- This can be accomplished with the user inserting his/her finger in the notch 83 a and pulling towards the user. It will be understood that other pulling means (e.g. tabs) could be employed without departing from the invention.
- the side panel 12 a Upon engagement of the U-shaped slot 81 a of the connection assembly tabs 122 a to 125 a , the side panel 12 a will be secured in a perpendicular orientation relative to panel 18 a (See FIG. 29 ).
- the upper stabilizing tab 50 a is first introduced in the upper stabilizing recess 160 a , after which the finger portion 86 a of tabs 36 a to 39 a are inserted into corresponding slots 141 a , 142 a , 143 a and 144 a of the locking assembly 140 a . As the finger-receiving portions of the slots of locking assembly are offset as shown in FIG.
- the insertion of the finger portions 86 a of tabs in the corresponding slots will require a slight curving of the back panel 14 a . Because the head portion of the slots 141 a , 144 a are offset, the insertion of tabs 36 a to 39 a in slots 141 a to 144 a will require a slight curving of the side panel.
- the user gently slides the tabs 36 a to 37 a in the slots 141 a to 144 a such that the U-shaped slot 81 a of the tabs 36 a to 39 a engages in a slip fit fashion the panel 12 a .
- the slightly curved back panel 14 a will also tend to become vertically straight, thus losing its slight curve, allowing the alignment tabs 44 a , 45 a to engage more securely the alignment slots 150 a , 152 a of the side panel 12 a , respectively.
- slots 145 a , 146 a , 147 a and 149 a are left unoccupied, they can be engaged with other connection assemblies such that another panel can be added to the rear face 111 a of the side panel 12 a . This will allow the display to be extended in that orientation if the user so desires.
- the assembly of the center support 20 a is shown in FIG. 33 .
- the assembly of the locking assembly 201 a of the center support 20 a with the second connection assembly 35 a of the back panel 14 a is similar to the assembly of the first front panel 18 a to the first side panel 12 a described herein above.
- the user engages the upper hook 63 a of the second connection assembly 35 a of the back panel 14 a in the upper recess 191 a of the center support 20 a and the panels are moved vertically relative to one another such that the upper hook 63 a adjoins the first face 196 a of the front center support 20 a so as to prevent unwanted removal of the upper hook 63 a from the upper recess 191 a .
- the finger portion 86 a of the first tab 52 a of the second connection assembly 35 a is then inserted into the slot 213 a of the first set of controversial slots of the locking assembly 201 .
- the remaining tabs 53 a to 55 a are inserted into the remaining slots 219 a , 229 a and 235 a , respectively.
- tabs 61 a and 62 a engage with slots 217 a and 233 a .
- connection assembly 35 a are engaged in the slots of locking assembly 201 a securing the center support 20 perpendicular to the back panel 14 a , as seen in FIG. 33 .
- any forward moment by panel 14 a will further move the head portion of the tab into the head receiving portion, therefore securing the connection further.
- slots 211 a , 223 a , 231 a and 237 a are free (e.g., unoccupied), then the first connection assembly of a second panel can be engaged therewith, as will be described in greater detail below.
- the first connection assembly 33 b of the second back panel 14 b is interlocked with the locking assembly 201 a of the center support 20 a .
- the tab 52 a of the second connection assembly 35 a of the first panel 14 a engages the recess 40 b of the first connection assembly 33 b of the second back panel 14 b .
- the upper stabilizing tab 50 b of the second back panel 14 b is engaged in the upper tab-receiving recess 64 a of the second connection assembly 35 a of the first back panel 14 a and the upper hook 63 a of the same is accommodated in the hook-receiving recess 51 b of the first connection assembly 33 b of the second back panel 14 b .
- tab 36 b is engaged in slot 211 a of the center panel 20 a and the other tabs are similarly engaged.
- FIGS. 37 and 38 Shown in FIGS. 37 and 38 is the assembly of the second side panel 12 b with the other, assembled, components of the display 10 .
- the assembly of the locking assembly 140 b of the side panel 12 b with the second connection assembly 35 b of the back panel 14 b is generally similar to the assembly of the second connection assembly 33 a of the first back panel 14 a to locking assembly 140 a of the side panel 12 a .
- the second front panel 18 b is connected to the front edge 133 a of side panel 12 b , in a manner similar to the assembly of front panel 18 a to side panel 12 a.
- each shelf-mounting tab 114 a is passed through the head-receiving portion 71 a of one slot 65 a on either one of the side, back and front panels 12 a , 12 b , 14 a , 14 b and 18 a , 18 b or a combination thereof, as it is the case, for instance, with shelves 21 a and 21 b shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
- the user causes the shelf to move vertically relative to the panel member such that the head portion 116 of each tab 114 engages the head-receiving portion 72 a of the slot 65 a.
- the assembly of the arch 16 to the side panels 12 a , 12 b is performed by passing the head portion 170 of the legs 172 of the arch through the finger-receiving portion 166 of one of the pair of arch mounting slots 171 a , 175 a or 173 a , 177 a .
- the legs 172 extending from a common side of the arch 16 are forced toward one another such that the finger portion 174 thereof will engage the head receiving portion 168 of the arch mounting slots 171 a , 175 a or 173 a , 177 a.
- a display generally designated with the reference numeral 600 .
- the display 600 is significantly abridged in that it includes only one side panel 602 and one back panel 604 that will be perpendicularly connected to one another by a simplified locking assembly.
- the display 600 could optionally be provided with an arrangement of slots allowing the assembly of shelves thereto.
- display members such as baskets or grid hooks could be mounted differently.
- the side panel 602 includes a top edge 606 , a bottom edge 608 and two left and right edges 610 , 612 extending between the top and bottom edges 606 , 608 to define a generally rectangular shape.
- the side panel 602 further includes a first face 614 , and a second, opposed face 616 . As shown in FIG. 40 , the side panel 602 includes a locking assembly 618 similar in configuration to the locking assemblies noted previously and a connection assembly 619 , as noted previously. Because the display 600 includes only one side panel an only one back panels, a person skilled in the art will understand that only one locking assembly and only one connection assembly are required for this particular design.
- the back panel 604 includes a top edge 624 , a bottom edge 626 and two side edges 628 , 630 extending therebetween. As shown in FIG. 40 , the back panel 604 includes a locking assembly 629 similar in configuration to the locking assemblies noted previously and a connection assembly 630 , as noted previously. It will be understood by a person skilled in the relevant art that display 600 can be assembled based on the assembly of display 10 as described above and as such, will not be described further.
- FIGS. 41 to 44 Other embodiments of the display are shown in FIGS. 41 to 44 .
- display 11 having a number of side panels ( 12 a , 12 b , 12 c ) interlocked with a number of back panels ( 14 a , 14 b , 14 c , 14 d ), front panels ( 18 a , 18 b , 18 c ), center panels ( 20 a , 20 b ), archs ( 16 a and 16 b ) and shelves ( 21 a to 21 d , 23 a and 23 b ).
- FIG. 43 and 44 there is provided display 11 having a number of side panels ( 12 a , 12 b , 12 c ) interlocked with a number of back panels ( 14 a , 14 b , 14 c , 14 d ), front panels ( 18 a , 18 b , 18 c ), center panels ( 20 a , 20 b ), archs ( 16 a and 16 b ) and shelves
- display 13 having a number of side panels ( 12 a , 12 b , 12 c ) interlocked with a number of back panels ( 14 a to 14 f ), front panels ( 18 a to 18 d ), center panels ( 20 a , 20 b ), archs ( 16 a and 16 b ) and shelves ( 21 a to 21 d , 23 a and 23 b ).
- side panels 12 a , 12 b , 12 c
- back panels 14 a to 14 f
- front panels 18 a to 18 d
- center panels 20 a , 20 b
- archs 16 a and 16 b
- shelves 21 a to 21 d , 23 a and 23 b
- display 15 having a number of side panels ( 12 a , 12 b , 12 c ) interlocked with a number of back panels ( 14 a to 14 g ), front panels ( 18 a to 18 d ), center panels ( 20 a to 20 c ), archs ( 16 a and 16 b ) and shelves ( 21 a to 21 d , 23 a and 23 b ).
Landscapes
- Display Racks (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention relates to a portable exhibit display and to a kit for assembling the same. The portable display comprises a plurality of panels made from a sheet material and assembled to one another through a locking system. The locking system includes a plurality of tabs projecting from one panel and a corresponding plurality of locking slots defined in an adjoining panel, the slots being adapted to receive the tabs therein. The display of the present invention can carry a plurality of shelves or display members such as hook grids. The present invention also relates to panels for assembling a display.
Description
- The present invention relates to a portable and versatile display system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a display system for use with, for example, expositions, trade shows and the like, that can de easily assembled, disassembled and varied in its configuration.
- Trade shows, conventions, expositions, conferences, and exhibitions often require exhibitors to provide self-standing displays, booths or kiosks to exhibit their promotional material. Exhibitors traveling from regions remote from the city in which such trade shows, conventions, expositions, etc. are to be held generally favour flying to the destination. As the exhibitors need to carry their exhibit material over long distances, displays or kiosks are often loaded on a plane or sent by courier ahead of the exhibitor travelling to the conference. Because most of the cost associated with transportation is based on the weight of the cargo shipped, exhibitors tend to prefer lightweight, compact and easy to transport displays.
- It is also a desired characteristic to have a display suitably versatile in its configuration possibilities such that it can be adapted to the exhibition space available. Further, because a number of exhibitors distribute samples or brochures, or display their actual products, it is further contemplated to have horizontal surfaces such as shelves or racks on which such promotional material or actual product can be placed. Therefore, a display that is light, easy to assemble/dissemble and versatile would be appreciated by exhibitors.
- Several attempts have been made to develop lightweight and portable displays or booths. In most attempts, the displays are configured so as to be collapsible, therefore significantly reducing their size, and are made from a low-cost sheet material such as cardboard or fluted plastic. An example of such display can be found in the prior art under U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,382,433, 4,372,086 and 3,113,392.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,433 generally discloses a display assembly comprising two spaced-apart triangular columns, a center wall extending therebetween and a header for laterally stabilizing the columns. The various components of U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,433 are made from folded blanks of the fluted plastic. The display taught may further include a number of square center columns allowing the addition of further center walls to expand the width of the display. While the configuration of this display enables extension of the display areas, its design only permits a generally linear configuration. Furthermore, the display of this patent has a generally flat display surface designed to carry sheet-like material such as posters and pictures. It is however not adapted to carry the weight of projecting display devices such as shelves or racks.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,086 discloses an exposition display comprising a plurality of generally horizontal display panels. Each panel includes a plurality of folding lines used to fold the panel in a zigzag configuration. Each panels further includes an arrangement of slots allowing the assembly of one horizontal panel onto another similar panel. While this display provides the possibility to install shelves, the size and position of the shelves cannot be varied from time to time. Further, the configuration of the display disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,086 does not provide the flexibility to modify the overall width of the display or to modify its shape with respect to the exhibition space available.
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,113,392 discloses a display unit including two spaced-apart side columns and display section to be mounted therebetween. The various components of the display are assembled through the use of bracing and detachable connectors. While generally satisfactory, the use of such hardware is generally not encouraged since it tends to require tool for the assembly and the loss of small parts may impair the assembly of the unit and this tends not to be user friendly.
- Further attempts were made to develop displays or shelf units specifically designed to accommodate displayed material. Examples of such devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,378,710, 5,669,683 and 3,559,814. U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,710 teaches an adjustable shelving unit including a vertical shelf support to which can be mounted a plurality of shelves. The support includes a plurality of slots and notches allowing vertical movement of the shelves relative to the support. The shelves and support are made from a folded corrugated paperboard blank. Although this type of device provides an interesting alternative to the earlier described portable displays, the shelving unit disclose in U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,710 does not permit variable horizontal position of the shelves relative to the support. Further, the capability of this unit to stand by itself is questionable and its particular configuration does not permit the modification of the overall size and shape of the display.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,683 also discloses a shelving unit made from folded blanks of corrugated paperboard. Despite the shelving unit being able to stands alone, the shelves cannot be adjusted once the unit is assemble and the shape and size of the unit cannot be modified.
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,559,814 describes a collapsible display unit designed to rest on a table and having adjustable shelf means. This display unit requires hinges and vertical shelf brackets which may further contribute to its weight. Further, this unit cannot be joined other similar units to customize size and shape of the display area.
- Therefore, it would be advantageous to be provided with a display made from a light sheet material that can be easily assembled/disassembled without the use of small fastening hardware or tools. It would be also advantageous to be provided with a display capable of supporting shelves, racks, baskets or a combination thereof in adjustable positions, both horizontally and vertically. Finally, it would be advantageous to be provided with a display that is versatile enough to permit modification of the size and/or the shape of the display.
- According to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a kit for a display. The kit comprises a first and a second panel, the first panel having a first and second edge, the first edge having at least one set of connection tabs extending therefrom. The second panel has a first and second edge, the first edge having a set of locking slots adapted to receive the set of connection tabs of the first panel when the first panel is oriented generally perpendicular to the second panel.
- According to another aspect, a kit for a display is provided where the set of locking slots of the second panel comprises first and second, spaced apart, locking slots.
- According to yet another aspect, there is provided a kit for a display wherein the set of locking slots of the second panel comprises first and second pairs of locking slots, the first pair of locking slots being spaced apart from the second pair of locking slots.
- According to a further aspect, a kit for a display is provided where each of the connection tabs comprises a head portion and at least one elongated finger. The head portion extending from the first edge of the first panel and at least one elongated finger portion extends from the head portion.
- According to an additional aspect, there is provided a kit for a display wherein each member of the pair of locking slots comprises at least one finger-receiving portion and a head-receiving portion. The at least one finger-receiving portion is sized to allow the passage of the at least one elongated finger portion and the head portion of one connection tab therethrough while the head-receiving portion is adapted to receive the head portion of the connection tab.
- According to a further aspect, the head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots are aligned along a vertical axis extending generally parallel to the first and second edges of the second panel. The head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis. The head-receiving portions of the first and second pairs of locking slots are further aligned along the vertical axis and the finger-receiving portions of the first and second pair of locking slots are offset along the vertical axis.
- According to yet a further aspect, the second edge of the first panel comprises a second set of connection tabs that extends therefrom.
- According to another aspect, each of the first and second set of connection tabs comprises a pair of connection tabs. Further, each pair of connection tabs includes a first member and a second, spaced apart, member.
- According to an additional aspect, the elongated fingers of each first member of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is oriented in a first direction and each second member of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is oriented in a second direction. The first and second directions are opposite to one another.
- According to a further aspect, the first direction of the first members of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is the same.
- According to yet a further aspect, the first direction of the first members of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is opposite.
- According to an additional aspect, there is provided a kit for a display wherein the first and second edges of the first panel comprises a first pair of spaced apart recesses proximal to the first pair of connection tabs and a second pair of spaced apart recesses proximal to the second pair of connection tabs. Each recess is adapted to receive a connection tab therein and the first and second members of the first pair of recesses are aligned along a horizontal axis extending generally perpendicularly to the first and second edges of the first panel with the first and second members of the second pair of connection tabs. The first and second members of the second pair of recesses are aligned along the horizontal axis with the first and second members of the first pair of connection tabs.
- According to another aspect, the second edge of the second panel comprises a set of connection tabs extending therefrom.
- According to an additional aspect, there is provided a kit for a display further comprising a third panel. The third panel has a first and second edge, the first edge having at least one set of locking slots adapted to receive the connection tabs of the first panel or the second panel when the third panel is generally perpendicular to the first panel or the second panel.
- According to a further aspect, the set of locking slots of the third panel comprise a first and second pair of locking slots. The first pair of locking slots are spaced apart from the second pair of locking slots.
- According to yet a further aspect, each member of the pair of the locking slots of the third panel comprises a finger-receiving portion and a head-receiving portion. The finger-receiving portion is sized to allow the passage of the at least one finger portion and the head portion of the connection tab therethrough. The head-receiving portion is adapted to receive the head portion of the connection tab.
- According to another aspect, the head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots of the third panel are aligned along a vertical axis extending generally parallel to the first and second edges of the third panel and the head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis; and wherein the head-receiving portions of the first and second pairs of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis and the finger-receiving portions of the first and second pairs of locking slots are offset along the vertical axis.
- According to an additional aspect, the head-receiving and the finger receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots of the third panel are aligned along a vertical axis of the third panel. The head-receiving and the finger receiving portions of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis and the head-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots and the head-receiving portion of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis. The finger-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots and the finger-receiving portion of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis.
- According to yet an additional aspect, the third panel further comprises a third and fourth spaced apart edges. The third and fourth edges extend between the first and second edges of the third panel. The width of the third edge along a horizontal axis extending generally perpendicularly to the first and second edges of the third panel is greater than the width of the fourth edge along the horizontal axis.
- According to another aspect, there is provided a kit for a display that further comprises a fourth panel. The fourth panel has a first and second edge and one set of locking slots adapted to receive the connection tabs of the first or second panel when the fourth panel is generally perpendicular to the first panel or the second panel. The set of locking slots is located between the first and second edge.
- According to yet another aspect, each member of the pair of the locking slots of the fourth panel comprises a finger-receiving portion and a head-receiving portion. The finger-receiving portion is sized to allow the passage of the finger portion and the head portion of the connection tab therethrough. The head-receiving portion is adapted to receive the head portion of the connection tab.
- According to a further aspect, the head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots of the fourth panel are aligned along a vertical axis extending generally parallel to the first and second edges of the fourth panel. The head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis. The head-receiving portions of the first and second pairs of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis and the finger-receiving portions of the first and second pairs of locking slots are offset along the vertical axis.
- According to an additional aspect, the head-receiving and the finger receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots of the fourth panel are aligned along a vertical axis of the fourth panel and the head-receiving and the finger receiving portions of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis. The head-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots and the head-receiving portion of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis and the finger-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots and the finger-receiving portion of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis.
- According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a display comprising first and second, generally vertical, panels. The first panel has a first and second edge, the first edge having at least one set of connection tabs extending therefrom. Each of the connection tabs includes a head portion extending from the first edge of the first panel and at least one elongated finger portion extending from the head portion. The second panel is oriented generally perpendicular to the first panel and has a first and second edge. The first edge has at least two spaced apart locking slots for receiving the set of connection tabs of the first panel therein, each locking slot including at least one finger-receiving portion and a head-receiving portion. The finger-receiving portion is sized to allow the passage of the at least one elongated finger portion and the head portion of one connection tab therethrough. The head-receiving portion receives the head portion of the connection tab and the head-receiving portion of the at least two locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis while the finger-receiving thereof are offset along the vertical axis.
- According to a further aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an expandable display comprising first and second, generally vertical, panels. The first panel has a first and second edge, the first edge having at least one set of connection tabs extending therefrom. Each of the connection tabs includes a head portion extending from the first edge of the first panel and at least one elongated finger portion extending from the head portion. The second panel is oriented generally perpendicular to the first panel and has a first and second edge, the first edge having a set of locking slots. The locking slots receive the set of connection tabs of the first panel and include first and second pairs of locking slots. The first pair of locking slots is spaced apart from the second pair of locking slots. The locking slots include at least one finger-receiving portion sized to allow the passage of the at least one elongated finger portion and the head portion of one connection tab therethrough, and a head-receiving portion receiving the head portion of the connection tab. The head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots are aligned along a vertical axis of the second panel and the head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis. The head-receiving portions of the first and second pairs of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis and the finger-receiving portions of the first and second pair of locking slots are offset along the vertical axis.
- According to another aspect, wherein the second edge of the first panel comprises a second set of connection tabs extending therefrom.
- According to yet another aspect, each of the first and second set of connection tabs comprises a pair of connection tabs. Each pair includes a first member and a second, spaced apart, member.
- According to an additional aspect, the elongated fingers of each first member of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is oriented in a first direction and each second member of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is oriented in a second direction. The first and second directions of the first and second members of one pair of connection tabs are opposite to one another.
- According to a further aspect, the first direction of the first members of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is the same.
- According to yet a further aspect, the first direction of the first members of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is opposite.
- According to another aspect, the first and second edges of the first panel further comprises a first pair of spaced apart recesses proximal to the first pair of connection tabs and a second pair of spaced apart recesses proximal to the second pair of connection tabs. Each recess is adapted to receive a connection tab therein. The first and second members of the first pair of recesses are aligned along a horizontal axis extending generally perpendicularly to the first and second edges of the first panel with the first and second members of the second pair of connection tabs. The first and second members of the second pair of recesses are aligned along the horizontal axis with the first and second members of the first pair of connection tabs.
- According to an additional aspect, the second edge of the second panel comprises a set of connection tabs extending therefrom.
- According to yet another aspect, the display further comprises a third panel mounted to one of the first and second panel. The third panel has a first and second edge, the first edge having at least one set of locking slots receiving the connection tabs of the first panel or the second panel when the third panel mounted thereto.
- According to an additional aspect, the third panel further comprises a third and fourth spaced apart edges extending between the first and second edges thereof. The width of the third edge along a horizontal axis extending generally perpendicularly to the first and second edges of the third panel is greater than the width of the fourth edge along the horizontal axis.
- According to a further aspect, the display further comprises a fourth panel mounted to the other of first and second panel. The fourth panel has a first and second edge and one set of locking slots adapted to receive the connection tabs of the other of first or second panel when the fourth panel is mounted thereto.
- According to yet a further aspect, there is provided a display comprising a shelf mounted to at least one of the first and second panel.
- According to another broad aspect of an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a panel for a display. The panel comprises a first and second edge, the first edge having a set of connection tabs extending therefrom. Each of the connection tabs includes a head portion extending from the first edge of the first panel and at least one elongated finger portion extending from the head portion.
- According to an additional aspect, the second edge of the first panel comprises a second set of connection tabs extending therefrom.
- According to yet an additional aspect, each of the first and second set of connection tabs comprises a pair of connection tabs, each pair including a first member and a second, spaced apart, member.
- According to a further aspect, the elongated fingers of each first member of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is oriented in a first direction and each second member of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is oriented in a second direction. The first and second directions of the first and second members of one pair of connection tabs are opposite to one another.
- According to another aspect, the first direction of the first members of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is the same.
- According to yet another aspect, the first direction of the first members of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is opposite.
- According to a further broad aspect of one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a panel for a display, the panel comprising a first and second edge, the first edge having at least two locking slots for receiving the set of connection tabs of the first panel therein. Each locking slot includes at least one finger-receiving portion sized to allow the passage of the at least one elongated finger portion and the head portion of one connection tab therethrough. Each locking slot further includes a head-receiving portion receiving the head portion of the connection tab. The head-receiving portion of the at least two locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis and the finger-receiving portions are offset along the vertical axis.
- The embodiments of the present invention shall be more clearly understood with reference to the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a front right perspective view of a portable exhibit display according to a first embodiment; -
FIG. 2 is a front view of the portable exhibit display shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a front right perspective view of the portable exhibit display shown inFIG. 1 , with the arch and shelves removed for purposes of clarity; -
FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a back panel shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is a front right perspective view of the back panel shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the back panels shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of one tab shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 8 is a left elevation view of a side panel shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 9 is a rear right perspective view of the side panel shown inFIG. 8 ; -
FIG. 10 is an enlarged left elevation view of the top portion of the side panel shown inFIG. 8 ; -
FIG. 11 is a further enlarged left elevation view of the side panel shown inFIG. 8 illustrating the alignment of the tab receiving slots; -
FIG. 12 is a front right perspective view of the portable exhibit display shown inFIG. 1 with an additional panel adjacent one of the side panel in an unassembled configuration; -
FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the portable exhibit display shown inFIG. 12 with the additional panel in an assembled configuration; -
FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a side panel and a back panel of the display shown inFIG. 1 , placed side by side; -
FIG. 15 is a right elevation view of the center support shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 16 is a right front perspective view of the center support ofFIG. 15 ; -
FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a center support and a back panel of the display shown inFIG. 1 , placed side by side; -
FIG. 18 is a front elevation view of a front panel shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 19 is a right elevation view of a front panel shown inFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 20 is a right front perspective view of the left hand corner shelf shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 21 is a back right perspective view of the left hand corner shelf ofFIG. 20 ; -
FIG. 22 is a bottom plan view of the left hand corner shelf ofFIG. 20 showing the front lip unfolded; -
FIG. 23 is a front right perspective view of the rectangular shelf ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 24 is a bottom plan view of the rectangular shelf ofFIG. 23 showing the side and front lips unfolded; -
FIG. 25 is a back left perspective view of the arch ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 26 is a top plan view of the arch ofFIG. 25 in an unfolded configuration; -
FIG. 27 is an enlarged perspective cross section view of the back panel shown inFIG. 1 showing the folding line; -
FIG. 28 is a front right perspective view of the left front panel and the left side panel of the display shown inFIG. 1 in an unassembled configuration; -
FIG. 29 is a front right perspective view of the left front panel and the left side panel ofFIG. 28 in an assembled configuration; -
FIG. 30 is an enlarged front right perspective view of the left back panel and the center support of the display shown inFIG. 1 in an unassembled configuration; -
FIG. 31 is an enlarged front right perspective view of the of the left back panel and the center support shown inFIG. 30 in an assembled configuration; -
FIG. 32 is a front right perspective view of the display shown inFIG. 1 showing the assembly of the left back panel and the left side panel; -
FIG. 33 is a front right perspective view of the display shown inFIG. 32 showing the assembly of the center support to the left back panel; -
FIG. 34 is a front right perspective view of the display shown inFIG. 33 showing the assembly of the right back panel to the center support and the left back panel; -
FIG. 35 is a front right perspective view of the display shown inFIG. 34 showing the right back panel assembled to the center support and the left back panel; -
FIG. 36 is an enlarged front right perspective view of the display sown inFIG. 35 , showing the arrangement of tabs, recess and locking slots; -
FIG. 37 is a front right perspective view of the display shown inFIG. 35 showing the assembly of the right side panel to the right back panel; -
FIG. 38 is a front right perspective view of the display shown inFIG. 37 in an assembled configuration; -
FIG. 39 is a front right perspective view of the display shown inFIG. 1 showing the assembly of a front panel to the side panel; -
FIG. 40 is a front right perspective view of a portable exhibit display according to an additional embodiment; -
FIG. 41 is a front right perspective view of a portable exhibit display according to another embodiment; -
FIG. 42 is a front right perspective view of a portable exhibit display according to a further embodiment; -
FIG. 43 is a front right perspective view of a portable exhibit display according to another embodiment; and -
FIG. 44 is a front right perspective view of the portable exhibit display ofFIG. 43 including shelves and arches. - The description that follows, and the embodiments described therein, are provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, of particular embodiments of the principles and aspects of the present invention. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation, of those principles and of the invention. In the description, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated in order more clearly to depict certain features of the invention.
- In the description and drawings herein, and unless noted otherwise, the terms “vertical” and “horizontal”, can be references to a Cartesian co-ordinate system in which the vertical direction generally extends in an “up and down” or “bottom to top” orientation on the page. The use of the term “upright” can be used to refer to an object that is generally oriented upright or in a vertical direction. The horizontal direction generally extends in a “left to right” or “side to side” orientation on the page. “Front”, “back”, “left” and “right” can also be used in the specification in which the “front” typically refers to the surface, face or edge of an object generally oriented towards the lower left corner of the page or extending from the page towards the viewer; “back” typically refers to the surface, face or edge of an object generally oriented towards the upper right corner of the page or extending from the page away from the viewer; “left” typically refers to the surface, face or edge of an object generally oriented towards the left margin of the page; and “right” typically refers to the surface, face or edge generally oriented towards the right margin of the page. References to “top” generally refer to the surface, face or edge generally oriented towards the top or upper margin of the page, while “bottom” generally refers to the surface, edge or face generally oriented towards the bottom or lower margin of the page.
- The embodiments of the present invention are comprised of a number of members or components that have similar structures. It will be understood that for the corresponding structures of similar members of the display, such as, for example, side, back or front panels, each structure will be identified by an alphanumeric reference number wherein the letter will identify with which corresponding member the structure is associated.
- With reference to
FIGS. 1 to 3 , a portable, self-standing andversatile exposition display 10 is shown. Thedisplay 10 is designed to stand on a generally flat, horizontal, surface such as a floor or a stage (not shown). A person skilled in the art will appreciate that thedisplay 10 could be adapted to fit on any horizontal surface such as, for example, a table or other surface. - According to a first embodiment, the
display 10 includes two spaced-apart, generally parallel, upright orvertical side panels back panels side panels FIG. 2 or 3, defining ajunction 15 therebetween. Thedisplay 10 further includes acenter support 20 a connected to both backpanels junction 15 thereof, and a pair offront panels side panels shelves rectangular shelf 23 a are provided in thedisplay 10. It will be understood thatshelves side panels display 10 with lighting or to illuminate displays within arch 16 a. - The
display 10 is further provided with at least one universal interlocking system for interlocking, interconnecting or connecting a combination of one or more of a side panel, a back panel, a center support or a front panel. Such components of the display, when combined together with at least one universal interlocking system comprise the display system of the present invention. As will be understood by a person skilled in the relevant art, the side panels, back panels, center supports and front panels can be connected through the interlocking system so as to provide a user of thedisplay 10 with the possibility of assembling displays in a plurality of configurations. Examples of the various configurations of the display system are provided in, for example,FIGS. 1 , 41, 42, 43, and 44. As shown inFIG. 3 , the universal interlocking system of thedisplay 10 includes at least one connection assembly and at least one locking assembly; each connection and receiving/locking assemblies being provided in some combination thereon the panel components, as will become apparent below. - It will be understood by a person skilled in the relevant art that the various components of
display 10, including the side panels, back panels, center supports, and front panels, can be made from a wide variety of suitable material, which is light, low cost and durable, such as fluted plastics or corrugated cardboard. Material that is sturdy, durable and lightweight can be used including plastic, cardboard and sheet metal. Preferred materials are plastics such as, for example, Coroplast™, Cintar™, ABS and similar types of materials that are commercially available. The various panels ofdisplay 10 are preferably cut from Coroplast™ using a machine tool controlled by a Computer Numerical Control (CNC). A skilled artisan will however acknowledge that such panels could be press cut from the sheet material using a die or by any suitable method known in the art. - Now turning to
FIGS. 4 and 5 , the back panels 14 will be described. Sinceback panels display 10 can be generally identical in configuration, it will be understood that the detailed depiction of theback panel 14 a will be sufficient for describing bothpanels panel 14 b are referred to onpanel 14 b with the same alphanumeric reference number aspanel 14 a but with the letter “a” replaced with the letter “b” so as to denote the corresponding structure. As shown inFIG. 4 , theback panel 14 a has atop edge 25 a, abottom edge 27 a, aleft side edge 29 a and aright side edge 31 a, spaced apart fromedge 29 a. For greater clarity, it will be understood that the same structures onpanel 14 b will be referred to as edges 25 b, 27 b, 29 b and 31 b. The side edges 29 a and 31 a extend between theedges second connection assemblies back panel 14 a further includes a front orfirst face 28 a and an opposed, back orsecond face 30 a (not shown) defining a thickness therebetween. According to this first embodiment, theback panel 14 a has a height H and a width W. A person skilled in the art will understand that the height H and the width W could vary without departing from the scope of the invention. In one example of this embodiment, the height H and the width W are 80 inches and 28⅞ inches, respectively. - The
first connection assembly 33 a, provided alongedge 29 a of theback panel 14 a includes four spaced-apart mounting tabs (36 a, 37 a, 38 a, 39 a), four spaced-apart tab-receivingrecesses 40 a to 43 a, twoalignment tabs upper tab 50 a and one upper tab or hook-receivingrecess 51 a. Thetabs 36 a to 39 a form an integral structure with theback panel 14 a and extend away from theleft edge 29 a generally along the horizontal plane of the panel. The secondedge connection assembly 35 a includes four spaced-apart mountingtabs 52 a to 55 a, four spaced-apart tab-receivingrecesses 56 a to 59 a and two stabilisingtabs tabs 52 a to 55 a form an integral structure with theback panel 14 a and extend away from theright edge 31 a. Thesecond connection assembly 35 a is also provided with oneupper hook 63 a and one upper tab-receivingrecess 64 a, theupper hook 63 a and the upper tab-receivingrecess 64 a being adapted to mate with the upper hook-receivingrecess 51 b and theupper tab 50 b, respectively of theadjacent back panel 14 b, as shown inFIG. 6 . - It will be understood that
panel 14 b can be generally identical in configuration topanel 14 a. The firstedge connection assembly 33 b ofpanel 14 b is provided on the left side edge 29 b of theback panel 14 b and includes four spaced-apart mountingtabs 36 b to 39 b, four spaced-apart tab-receivingrecesses 40 b to 43 b, twoalignment tabs upper tab 50 b and one upper hook-receivingrecess 51 b. The secondedge connection assembly 35 b ofpanel 14 b includes four spaced-apart mountingtabs 52 b to 55 b, four spaced-apart tab-receivingrecesses 56 b to 59 b and two stabilisingtabs 61 b, 62 b. The secondedge connection assembly 35 b ofpanel 14 b is also provided with oneupper hook 63 b and one upper tab-receivingrecess 64 b, theupper hook 63 b and the upper tab-receivingrecess 64 b. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , mountingtabs 36 a to 39 a ofconnection assembly 33 a are aligned along a horizontal axis generally parallel to upper andlower edges recesses 56 a to 59 a of theconnection assembly 35 a. The spaced-aparttabs 52 a to 55 a of theconnection assembly 35 a are similarly aligned with therecesses 40 a to 43 a of theconnection assembly 33 a. This configuration of connections assemblies allows the accommodation of the mounting tabs of a second connection assembly (e.g. 35 a) of a first back panel (e.g. 14 a) within the tab-receiving recesses of a first connection assembly (e.g. 33 b) of a second back panel (e.g. 14 b) as well as the accommodation of the upper hook (e.g. 63 a) of the second connection assembly of the first panel (e.g. 14 a) within the hook-receiving recess (e.g. 51 b) of the first assembly of second panel (e.g. 14 b). This configuration of connections assemblies also allows the accommodation of the mounting tabs of a first connection assembly (e.g. 33 a) of a first panel within the tab-receiving recesses of a second connection assembly (e.g. 35 c) of the third panel (e.g. 14 c) as well as the accommodation of the upper tab of the first connection assembly (e.g. 50 a) within the tab-receiving recess (e.g. 64 c) of the second assembly (e.g. 35 c) of thethird panel 14 c. It will be understood, therefore, based on this configuration of first and second connection assemblies on each back panel, that a plurality of back panel segments can be linked depending on the needs of the user. For example,FIG. 43 provides a series of fourback panels 14 a to 14 d so linked. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , therecesses 40 a to 43 a of the firstedge connection assembly 33 a are generally rectangular and are adapted to receive correspondingtabs 52 b to 55 b of the secondedge connection assembly 35 b ofpanel 14 b therein (not shown). It will be understood that recesses 40 a to 43 a andtabs 52 b to 55 b can be any shape provided that the female (e.g. recess 40 a) can mate with the male (e.g. tab 52 b). Similarly, therecesses 56 b to 59 b of the second sideedge connection assembly 35 b are generally rectangular and are adapted to receive correspondingtab 36 a to 39 a of thefirst connection assembly 33 a. Again, as it is apparent fromFIG. 4 , each of thetabs 52 a to 55 a of the second connection assembly of thefirst back panel 14 a are horizontally aligned with correspondingrecesses 40 b to 43 b of thefirst connection assembly 33 b of theadjacent side panel 14 b. In this configuration, it will be understood thatrecesses 40 b to 43 b andtabs 52 a to 55 a can be any shape provided that they can mate with each other. - The
alignment tabs right edges back panel 14 a. As described in further detail below, each stabilisingtab alignment slot 150 a to 153 a of a lockingassembly 140 a of theside panel 12 a (shown inFIG. 8 ), correspondingalignment slots assembly 201 a ofcenter panel 20 a (as shown inFIG. 15 ) or corresponding alignment slots of a lockingassembly 221 a offront panel 18 a (as shown inFIG. 19 ). According to this first embodiment, the thickness of thepanel 14 a and thealignment tabs side panels center support 20 a orfront panels - As seen in
FIG. 4 , thebottom edge 27 a of theback panel 14 a defines a pair of spaced-apart feet lower edge recess 68 a extending therebetween. Therecess 68 a is adapted to accommodate irregularities of the horizontal surface on which thedisplay 10 stands, and in one embodiment has a height from ⅝ inch and greater; more preferably ⅞ inch. Further, the configuration offeet recess 68 a provides an enhanced stability of theback panel 14 a on soft surfaces such as carpet. A person skilled in the art, however, will acknowledge thatback panel 14 a may be provided without thefeet upward recess 68 a or having arecess 68 a of different shape and size while fulfilling the same purpose. - As shown in
FIGS. 4 , 5 and 6,back panel 14 a further includes a plurality of generally T-shaped mountingslots 65 a distributed onpanel 14 a for mounting shelves, such as, for example, 21 a, 21 b or 23 a, to theback panel 14 a in variable positions. A person skilled in the art will recognise that slots can be generally any shape provided that the female (e.g. slot 65 a) can mate with a male projection (e.g. tab 184; as shown inFIG. 21 ). Further, the shelf-mountingslots 65 a could accommodate other types of display members such as, for instance, grid hooks. The shelf-mountingslots 65 a extend through thepanel 14 a, between the front and back faces 28 a, 30 a of theback panel 14 a and can be distributed in any pattern, but preferably are distributed throughout theside panel 14 a in series of columns and row so as to accommodate shelves. As can be seen inFIG. 5 , there is provided a preferred arrangement of mountingslots 65 a in three columns (I, II, and III) and nine rows (IV to XII). Theslots 65 a of each of rows IV to XII are generally aligned along the horizontal axis generally parallel to upper andlower edges slots 65 a of each column (I to III) are generally aligned along the vertical axis generally parallel to left andright edges - As seen in greater detail in
FIG. 6 , eachslot 65 a comprises anupper portion 71 a and alower portion 72 a. Theupper portion 71 a is wider as extending along the horizontal axis, than thelower portion 72 a. Thewide portion 71 a is sized to allow the passage of ahead portion 116 a and a pair offinger portion 112 a of a shelf-mount tab 114 a extending from theshelves 21 a (SeeFIG. 21 ). Thenarrower portion 72 a is adapted to receive thehead portion 116 a of theshelf mounting tab 114 a while collaborating with thefinger portions 112 a of thetab 114 a to prevent unwanted withdrawal of the shelf-mountingtab 114 a from theshelf mounting slot 65 a (SeeFIG. 21 ). Theback panel 14 a additionally includes a plurality of generallycircular holes 73 a distributed onpanel 14 a. As withslots 65 a, holes 73 a extend through thepanel 14 a, between the front and back faces 28 a, 30 a of theback panel 14 a and can be distributed in any pattern, but preferably in series of columns and row. As can be seen inFIG. 5 , there is provided six columns and sixteen rows ofholes 73 a ofpanel 14 a. Theholes 73 a are designed to receive hook portions of display members such as a display basket (not shown). Also provided onpanels rectangular slots 74 a randomly distributed and designed to receive hook grids. - Despite a particular arrangement of shelf-mounting
slots 65 a,circular holes 73 a andrectangular slots 74 a is provided according to the first embodiment, a person skilled in the art will recognise that the shelf-mountingslots 65 a,circular holes 73 a andrectangular slots 74 a could be configured differently. For instance, the number and position of the shelf-mountingslots 65 a in each column or row could vary. Alternatively, one or more of the tab-receivingslots 65 a,circular holes 73 a andrectangular slots 74 a may not be present without departing from the scope of this embodiment. - The mating or accommodation of
panels FIG. 6 . As shown inFIG. 6 , the upper half ofpanels panels tab 52 a of thesecond connection assembly 35 a of theback panel 14 a is accommodated in therecess 40 b of thefirst connection assembly 33 b of theadjacent back panel 14 b;tab 36 b of thefirst connection assembly 33 b of theback panel 14 b is accommodated in therecesses 56 a of thesecond connection assembly 35 a of theback panel 14 a.FIG. 6 also provides thatupper hook 50 b of thefirst connection assembly 33 b of theadjacent back panel 14 b is accommodated in the hook-receivingrecess 64 a of thesecond connection assembly 35 a of theback panel 14 a. - A person skilled in the relevant art would understand that the
back panels second connection assembly 35 b of theback panel 14 b engages thefirst connection assembly 33 a of theback panel 14 a in a similar manner to that described above. It will also be understood that thefirst connection assembly 33 a ofpanel 14 a could be engaged with the second connection assembly of another panel segment (not shown) having a configuration ofpanel second connection assembly 35b panel 14 b could be engaged with the first connection assembly of another panel segment (not shown) having the configuration ofpanel - As best shown in
FIG. 7 , there is provided a close-up view of one of mountingtabs 36 a to 39 a and 52 a to 55 a. As an example, mountingtab 52 a is provided inFIG. 7 and will be described. Since mountingtabs 36 a to 39 a and 52 a to 55 a can be generally identical in configuration, except where noted below, it will be understood that the detailed depiction of the mountingtab 52 a will be sufficient for describing the remaining tabs. Mountingtab 52 a is generally L-shaped and includes afirst head portion 80 a extending from theright side edge 31 a ofback panel 14 a and a seconddistal finger portion 86 a extending from head portion 80. As shown inFIG. 10 , thehead portion 80 a is adapted to be received in the head-receiving portion (e.g. 156 a) of a mounting slot (e.g. 141 a) of a locking assembly (e.g. 140 a), while thefinger portion 86 a and thehead portion 80 a are receivable through a second or finger receiving portion (e.g. 158 a) of the tab-receiving slot (e.g. 141 a). As shown inFIG. 7 , thedistal finger portion 86 a of mountingtab 52 a is oriented towards thebottom edge 27 a (not shown) ofpanel 14 a and away fromtop edge 25 a (not shown). Thedistal finger 86 a is also offset from theright side edge 31 a such that thehead portion 80 a,finger 86 a and edge 31 a define aslot 81 a; the opening ofslot 81 a being oriented towards thebottom edge 27 a (not shown) ofpanel 14 a and the closed portion of the slot oriented towardstop edge 25 a (not shown). As shown inFIG. 7 , the U shapedslot 81 a is adapted to receive the thickness of panels between thefinger portion 86 a and theside edge 31 a, as will be described in greater detail below. It will be understood thatslot 81 a can be shaped to accommodate the thickness of a panel, such as, for example, a general U-shape. Thehead portion 80 a of thetab 52 a is provided with a generallysemi-circular notch 83 a. Thesemi-circular notch 83 a facilitates the assembly of thedisplay 10, as will become apparent below. It will be understood thatnotch 83 a could be of any shape that would facilitate the assembly of thedisplay 10. It will be further understood thatnotch 83 a could also be replaces by a strap (not shown) or any such apparatus. - As illustrated in
FIG. 4 , the distal finger portions oftabs bottom edge 27 a ofpanel 14 a and away fromtop edge 25 a such that the opening of each corresponding U-shaped slots oftabs bottom edge 27 a ofpanel 14 a and the closed portion of the U-shaped slots are oriented towardstop edge 25 a. The distal finger portions oftabs top edge 25 a ofpanel 14 a and away frombottom edge 27 a such that the opening of each corresponding U-shaped slots oftabs top edge 25 a ofpanel 14 a and the closed portions of the U-shaped slots are oriented towardsbottom edge 27 a. The mirror image orientation oftabs display 10 by minimizing the vertical movement of the various components relative to one another, as will be understood in greater detail below. - As it will become apparent below, the first and second connection assemblies 33 and 35 of the back panel 14 are adapted to interlock with locking assemblies of the present invention, such as, for example locking assemblies 140 of the side panels 12 as shown in
FIG. 8 . - It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the relevant art that the configuration of the
tabs 36 a to 39 a and 52 a to 55 a ofpanel 14 a could vary while maintaining their function. For example,tab 52 a could be configured to have two distal finger portions (not shown), one distal finger portion oriented towards thebottom edge 27 a ofpanel 14 a and away fromtop edge 25 a, while another distal finger portion could be oriented towards thetop edge 25 a ofpanel 14 a and away frombottom edge 27 a so as to define two generally U-shaped slots. Again, a person skilled in the art will recognise that thetabs 36 a to 39 a and 52 a to 55 a ofpanel 14 a can be generally any shape provided they can mate with an adapted female counterpart (e.g. slot or recess). - It will be understood that any configuration of the connection tabs where the distal finger portions of the connection assemblies are generally oriented opposite one to another can be encompassed. For greater certainty, any combination where the elongated finger of each of the
tabs tabs tabs - A person skilled in the art would also appreciate that the number and position of the tabs, hooks and recesses of each of the first and second edge connection assemblies could vary while achieving similar results such as, for example, where there is a mounting tab or hook in the first connection assembly such that a recess is generally aligned therewith along the horizontal axis.
- With reference to
FIGS. 8 , 9 and 10, theside panel 12 a will now be described. As withback panels side panels display 10 can be generally identical in configuration, it will be understood that the detailed description of theside panel 12 a will be sufficient for describing bothpanels panel 12 a are referred to onpanel 12 b with the same alphanumeric reference number but with the letter “b” in place of “a” so as to denote the corresponding structure. As shown inFIG. 8 , theside panel 12 a has atop edge 101 a, abottom edge 103 a on which theside panel 12 a stands, aright side edge 105 a and a spaced apart leftside edge 107 a, edges 105 a and 107 a extending generally perpendicular to the horizontal axis established by top andbottom edges back panel edges side panel 12 a define a width. As it will become apparent below, the first andsecond connection assemblies back panel 14 a are further adapted to interlock with the locking assemblies 140 of the adjacent, generally perpendicular, side panels 12. The width of the side panels need not correspond to the width of the back panels (SeeFIG. 1 , for example). According to this first embodiment, theside panel 12 a has a height H and a width W. A person skilled in the art, however, will understand that the height H and the width W could vary without departing from the scope of the embodiment. For most uses of thedisplay 10, height H can be any height and the width W can be any width. In one example, the height H and the width W could be 80 inches and 22¾″ inches, respectively. Theside panel 12 a further includes first and second, opposed, side faces 109 a and 111 a, defining a thickness T′ therebetween. According to one embodiment, theside panel 12 a and theback panel 14 a are made from the same sheet material and therefore the thicknesses of each panel are generally identical. - Similarly to back
panel 14 a, thebottom edge 107 a of theside panel 12 a is provided with a pair of spaced-apart feet recess 117 a extending therebetween. As withpanel 14 a, therecess 117 a ofside panel 12 a fulfills a similar function to recess 68 a (seeFIG. 4 ). More specifically, recess 117 a is adapted to accommodate therein irregularities of the horizontal surface on which thedisplay 10 stands, having a height of ⅝ inch and greater and most preferably ⅞ inch. A person skilled in the art, however, will acknowledge thatside panel 12 a may be provided without thefeet upward recess 117 a or having arecess 117 a of different shape and size while fulfilling the same purpose. - The
right edge 105 a of theside panel 12 a is provided with aconnection assembly 121 a. It will be understood be a person skilled in the relevant art that theconnection assembly 121 a of theside panel 12 a generally corresponds to thesecond connection assembly 35 a defined on theright edge 31 a of theback panel 14 a (seeFIG. 4 ). Despite theconnection assembly 121 a of theside panel 12 a having a generally similar configuration to that of thesecond connection assembly 35 a of theback panel 14 a, a person skilled in the art will understand that theconnection assembly 121 a need not be so configured and could be configured differently. For instance, the number and location of tabs and recesses ofconnection assembly 121 a could be different than those ofconnection assembly 35 a. As shown inFIG. 8 ,connection assembly 121 a includes four spaced-aparttabs 122 a to 125 a, four spaced-apart tab-receivingrecesses 127 a to 130 a and twoalignment tabs connection assembly 121 a is further provided with oneupper hook 133 a and one upper tab-receivingrecess 135 a, theupper hook 133 a and the upper tab-receivingrecess 135 a being adapted to matedly connect with an upper hook-receivingrecess 51 c and theupper tab 50 c of anadjacent panel 14 c, as best shown inFIGS. 12 and 13 . Again, thetabs 122 a to 125 a of theconnection assembly 121 a form an integral structure with theside panel 12 a. - The
side panel 12 a is also provided with a lockingassembly 140 a, adapted to interlock with the connection assemblies of; for example, theback panels 14 a and/or 14 b. The lockingassembly 140 a is generally located proximal to theleft edge 107 a of theside panel 12 a and includes a plurality oftab receiving slots 141 a to 144 a and 145 a to 148 a, adapted to receive thetabs 36 a to 39 a, 36 b to 39 b, 52 a to 55 a and 52 b to 55 b of the first andsecond connection assemblies slot 141 a to 144 a and 145 a to 148 a extends between the first andsecond faces 109 a (FIG. 8) and 111 a (FIG. 9 ) of theside panel 12 a. As it will be appreciated fromFIGS. 8 and 10 , thetab receiving slots 141 a to 144 a and 145 a to 148 a of the lockingassembly 140 a are horizontally aligned with at least one of therecesses 127 a to 130 a or mountingtabs 122 a to 125 a of theconnection assembly 121 a. The lockingassembly 140 a also includes fouralignment slots 150 a to 153 a. Eachalignment slot 150 a to 153 a is vertically aligned with the receivingportions slots 141 a to 144 a and 145 a to 148 a between lines A-A and A′-A′ (shown inFIG. 10 ) and is adapted to receivealignment tabs connection assemblies alignment slots 150 a to 153 a comprise generally rectangular (elongated along the vertical axis generally parallel tosides second faces side panel 12 a. - As can be seen in
FIGS. 8 , 10 and 11,slots slots portion 156 a and a finger-receivingportion 158 a (seeFIG. 11 ). As can be seen in greater detail inFIGS. 10 and 11 , the head-receivingportion 156 a of the generally P-shaped slots (141 a and 143 a; 145 a and 147 a) extends towards theright edge 105 a and has anouter edge 157 a extended further thereto than theouter edge 159 a of the finger-receivingportion 158 a. Each of the generally d-shaped slots (142 a and 144 a; 146 a and 148 a) is the inverse mirror image or the reversed mirror image of the generally P-shaped slots as each further comprises a head-receivingportion 161 a (seeFIG. 11 ) and a finger-receivingportion 163 a (seeFIG. 11 ). As can be seen in greater detail inFIG. 11 , the head-receivingportion 161 a of the generally d-shaped slots (142 a, 144 a, 146 a and 148 a) extends towards theleft edge 107 a and has anouter edge 165 a extended further thereto than theouter edge 167 a of finger-receivingportion 163 a. - It will be understood that where the panel is inverted, flipped or rotated 180° along the vertical axis, the P-shaped slots will become lowercase q-shaped slots while the d-shaped slots will become lowercase b-shaped slots (as seen in
FIG. 9 ). As shown inFIG. 9 , the second or backsurface 111 a is now oriented towards the viewer. - As can be seen in
FIG. 11 , theedge 165 a is aligned along a vertical axis parallel to theedges FIG. 10 ) withedge 159 a and theedge 157 a is aligned with theedge 167 a. As seen inFIGS. 10 and 11 , it will be understood that theedges portions edges head receiving portions finger receiving portions -
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the upper half ofside panel 12 a. As shown inFIG. 10 , also aligned with the head-receivingportion 156 a of theslots recess 160 a. The stabilizingrecess 160 a is generally rectangular, vertically elongated and extends downwardly from thetop edge 101 a of theside panel 12 a. The stabilizingrecess 160 a is adapted to simultaneously receive theupper tab 50 of a first connection assembly 33 of a panel and the upper hook 63 of a second connection assembly 35 of an adjacent panel. The upper stabilizingrecess 160 a cooperates with the upper hook 63 or theupper tab 50 to prevent unwanted movement (e.g. bending) of the top edge 25 of a back panel 14, such as that due to, for example, the display of material on ashelf shelf 21 a shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 . - Proximate to the
top edge 101 a of theside panel 12 a are found two pairs of spaced-apart, horizontally aligned, arch-mountingslots slots slots FIG. 10 thatslots slots arch mounting slot portion 166 a and a narrower head-receivingportion 168 a as seen inFIG. 10 and similar in configuration to the slots previously described. The finger- and head-receivingportions - Similarly to the
back panel 14 a, theside panel 12 a includes a plurality of T-shaped shelf-mountingslots 176 a for mounting shelves thereto in variable positions. Again, the shelf-mountingslots 176 a extend between the first andsecond faces side panel 12 a and are distributed in a similar manner to that described with reference toFIG. 5 , such as, for example, defining columns and rows. In a preferred embodiment, there are three columns and nine rows, theslots 176 a being aligned therein. As best shown inFIG. 14 , the rows of theside panel 12 a are horizontally aligned with rows of theback panel 14 a when the side andback panels slots tabs display 10, such as theshelves FIG. 1 . - The
side panel 12 a is also provided with a plurality of generallycircular holes 186 a andrectangular slots 188 a randomly distributed, thecircular holes 186 a and therectangular slots 188 a extending between thefirst face 109 a and thesecond face 111 a of theside panel 12 a. The function ofcircular holes 186 a andrectangular slots 188 a of theside panel 12 a is similar to the function ofcircular holes 73 a andrectangular slots 74 a of theback panel 14 a. - As best seen in
FIG. 10 , theslots portions finger receiving portions 156 a=163 a (seeFIG. 11 ). This arrangement provides that when forced is applied to move the mounting tabs within the slots, the U-shaped slot 81 slip fits theside panel 12 a. More specifically, thehead portion 80 a is also engaged in a slip fit arrangement withhead receiving portion notch 83 a and applying force thereto as to move the tab into the slip fit arrangement noted above. As appreciated inFIGS. 10 and 11 , thefinger receiving portions 158 a of theslot 141 a extends downwardly from thehead receiving portion 156 a to define a P-shape while thefinger receiving portion 161 a of theslots 146 a extends upwardly to define a d-shape. The distribution of P-shaped and d-shaped slots 141 a-144 a and 145 a-148 a of theside panel 12 a, in the offset configuration together with the opposing orientation of thetabs 36 a to 39 a or 52 a to 55 a engaged inslots 141 a to 144 a and 145 a to 148 a also provides greater stability of thedisplay 10 by minimizing movement of theback panel 14 a relative to theside panel 12 a. - As will be described in greater detail below, the offset configuration of P and d slots allows a panel having a connection assembly to perpendicularly engage with the locking
assembly 140 a of theside panel 12 a to create an L-shaped assembly that can remain erect, as can be seen inFIGS. 1 to 3 andFIGS. 12 and 13 , while limiting horizontal and vertical movement relative to each panel. For example, when theconnection assembly 33 a ofpanel 14 a engages with the lockingassembly 140 a of theside panel 12 a the horizontal and vertical movement of each panel relative to one another will be limited, thus conferring to thedisplay 10 enhanced stability. Indeed, the particular configuration of the lockingassembly 140 a has the advantage of providing simultaneously a front and back support for the interlocked back or side panel 14, 12. - As a further example,
FIGS. 12 and 13 show aside panel 12 a being aligned withback panel 14 c so that it can be connected viaconnection assembly 121 a and lockingassembly 33 c so as to extend thedisplay 10. Thepanels panel 18 a (described below). As seen inFIG. 13 ,side panel 12 a has been connected topanel 14 c so as to further expand thedisplay 10 viapanel 18 a. It will be understood that through the use of the connection and locking assemblies of the present invention, thedisplay 10 can be expanded in a plurality of directions resulting in a plurality of configurations, only one possibility being shown inFIGS. 1 to 3 , 12 and 13. Other possibilities are provided inFIGS. 41 to 44 . - With reference to
FIGS. 15 and 16 , thecenter support 20 a of thedisplay 10 includes a first ortop edge 190 a, a second orbottom edge 192 a a third orright edge 194 a extending between the top andbottom edges edge 196 a. Theedge 196 a is extending angularly betweenbottom edge 192 a andtop edge 190 a, being wider near thebottom edge 192 a and narrower at thetop edge 190 a and tapering from thebottom edge 192 a to thetop edge 190 a. It will be understood by a person skilled in the relevant art that the shape ofcenter support 20 a can vary. For example,center support 20 a could also be generally L-shaped or any shape that would provide forward lean stability, provided that thebottom edge 192 a is generally wider thantop edge 190 a in that its width extending along a horizontal axis parallel tobottom edge 192 a andtop edge 190 a extends further that the width oftop edge 192 a along the same horizontal axis. As long as thebottom edge 192 a is generally wider than thetop edge 190 a, thecenter support 20 a will provide thedisplay 10 with improved stability to prevent forward leaning thereof, since it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the assembly ofshelves display 10. Thecenter support 20 a includes a lockingassembly 201 a that can be similar in configuration to the lockingassembly 140 a of theside panel 12 a. The lockingassembly 201 a extends generally along theback edge 194 a of thecenter support 20 a. - The locking
assembly 201 a is comprised of a plurality of lower Q shaped (q-shaped)slots slots alignment slots assembly 201 a, each of the generally d-shaped slots is the mirror image (along the horizontal axis) of the generally q-shaped slots. Whenpanel 20 a is flipped inverted or rotation 180° along the vertical axis, the q-shaped slots will become P-shaped slots and the d-shaped slots will become b-shaped slots. Each of the q- and d-shaped slots further comprises a finger receiving portion and a head receiving portion. Unlike lockingassembly 140 a, the slots of lockingassembly 201 a are not provided in the offset slot arrangement. Instead, the finger receiving portions of each of the q- and d-shaped slots are aligned. Further, as shown inFIGS. 15 and 16 , thealignment slots centre panel 20 a, any forward motion (e.g. forward lean) of the panel segments will cause the head receiving portions ofslots - The
center support 20 a is also provided with a plurality of generally T-shapedslots 198 a. The generally T-shapedslots 198 a are generally identical in configuration and location withincenter support 20 a as the slots ofpanels slots 198 a are distributed so as to be in an aligned configuration with theslots side panels display 10, as, shown, for example, inFIG. 17 . As can be seen fromFIGS. 15 and 16 , thebottom edge 192 a of thecenter support 20 a defines a pair of spaced-apart feet upward recess 202 a extending therebetween. The purpose of thefeet side panels - As shown in
FIG. 18 , thefront panel 18 a will be described. Thefront panels front panel 18 a will be described. Sinceback panels front panel 18 a will be sufficient for describing bothpanels panel 18 a are referred to onpanel 18 b with the same alphanumeric reference number but with the letter “b” instead of “a” so as to denote the corresponding structure. With reference toFIG. 18 , thefront panel 18 a generally includes atop edge 204 a, abottom edge 206 a having a pair of spacedapart feet recess 210 a extending therebetween, and a pair of first and second, generally straight, side edges 212 a, 214 a extending between the top andbottom edges first face 216 a (not shown) and a second, opposedface 218 a. Thefront panel 18 a further includes a lockingassembly 221 a generally identical to the locking assembly 201 as previously described, the lockingassembly 221 a extending along theside edge 212 a of thefront panel 18 a. The lockingassembly 221 a is generally located proximal to theright edge 212 a of thepanel 18 a and includes a plurality oftab receiving slots alignment slots assembly 221 a extends between the first andsecond faces panel 18 a. Eachalignment slot assembly 140 a. The tab-receivingslots alignment slots assembly 140 a, and as such, will not be described further. - In addition, the
front panel 18 a includes a plurality of generally T-shapedslots 220 a. The generally T-shapedslots 220 a are generally identical in configuration and location withincenter front panel 18 a as the slots withinpanels slots 220 a are distributed so as to be in an aligned configuration with the rows of the side andback panels display 10. - As best shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 , thefront panels side panels front panels panel 18 a is flipped, inverted or rotated 180° along the vertical axis to bepanel 18 b), their assembly with theside panels first face 218 a of thefront panel 18 a adjoins thefront edge 105 a of theside panel 12 a, while the back or second face 216 b of thefront panel 18 b is adjoining the front edge 126 b of theside panel 12 b, thefront panels side panels - In
FIG. 19 , there is providedfront panel 18 c. Sincepanel 18 c can be generally similar in configuration withpanels front panel 18 a will be sufficient for describingpanel 18 c. It will be understood that the corresponding structures ofpanel 18 a are referred to onpanel 18 c with the same alphanumeric reference number but with the letter “c” instead of “a” so as to denote the corresponding structure. It will be seen fromFIG. 19 that the lockingassembly 221 c ofpanel 18 c is provided along the horizontal center of the panel. This is different thanfront panels edge 212 a or 212 b. In addition, the lockingassembly 221 c includes a plurality oftab receiving slots alignment slots assembly 221 c extends between the first andsecond faces 216 c and 218 c of thepanel 18 c. Eachalignment slot assembly 140 a. The tab-receivingslots alignment slots assembly 140 a in that they are provided in the offset arrangement, and as such, will not be described further. - The
front panel 18 c is also provided with two columns of generally T-shapedslots 220 c. The generally T-shapedslots 220 c are generally identical in configuration withinfront panel 18 c as the slots with other panels noted herein, which therefore do not require further description, except that there are two columns. Theslots 220 c are distributed so as to be in an aligned configuration with the rows of the side andback panels display 11. As can be seen inFIG. 44 , the provision of two columns ofslots 220 c allow for the assembly ofadditional shelves - As best shown in
FIGS. 4 , 8, 16 and 18, eachback panel 14 a,side panel 12 a,center support 20 a andfront panels 18 a is provided with a generallyhorizontal folding line folding lines folding line 500 a will be described in connection with theback panel 14 a. A person skilled in the art will recognise that a similar description also applies tofolding lines - As shown on
FIG. 4 , thefolding line 500 a is generally equidistant from theedge 25 a and edge 27 a of theback panel 14 a and is aimed to allow folding of theback panel 14 a in two parts. Referring toFIG. 27 , thefolding line 500 a is defined by a partial cut extending linearly between the side edges 29 a, 31 a, generally parallel to theedge 25 a. Since theback panel 14 a is made from fluted plastic, the folding line may be produced by defining a generally straight cut on one of the front or back face 28 a, 30 a while keeping the integrity of the other of the front or back faces 28 a, 30 a. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that a folding line could be produced through weakening an area such as, for example, by creating a perforation or crimping the sheet material. Alternatively, the back panel could be made from two distinct sections connected to one another by a hinge or mounted with H-shaped connectors. - The shelves of the
display 10 will now be described. As seen inFIGS. 20 and 21 , theshelves shelves shelf 21 a will be described. Sinceshelves shelf 21 a will be sufficient for describing bothshelves panel 21 a are referred to onpanel 21 b with the same alphanumeric reference number but with the letter “b” instead of “a” so as to denote the corresponding structure. As shown inFIG. 20 ,shelf 21 a has a first edge 222 a, a second edge 224 a, generally parallel to the first edge 222 a, a third edge 226 a extending perpendicularly between the first and second edges 222 a, 224 a and a fourth edge 228 a angularly extending from first edge 222 a to second edge 224 a. The edge 228 a extends from the first edge 222 a of theshelf 21 a with a first angle of varying degrees relative to the size of the display, but should be 45 degrees or less. Together, the angular edge 228 a and the first edge 224 a define a second angle of varying degrees relative to the size of the display or 135 degrees or less. The first and second angles could however be configured in a manner, as it will be appreciated below, adapted to the relative width of theside panel 12 a,back panel 14 a andfront panel 18 a to which theshelf 21 a is mounted. Together, the first edge 222 a, the second edge 224 a, the third edge 226 a and the fourth edge 228 a define a top, display face 230 a upon which material can be placed, and a second, bottom face 232 a (seeFIG. 22 ). Extending away from display face 230 a is lower flange or lip 227 a. Flange 227 a reinforces theshelf 21 a such that it reduces or prevents unwanted bending or flexing of theshelf 21 a when material is placed thereon. - The
shelf 21 a is folded from a blank 234 a (best shown inFIG. 22 ) having lip 236 a extending from the angular edge 228 a. The lip 236 a is folded to form flange 227 a and includes a rectangular, elongated, first portion 238 a having a first edge 240 a flexibly connected to the angular edge 228 a and a second edge 242 a flexibly connect to a first edge of second portion 244 a. Second portion 244 a also has a second edge 248 a. From the second edge 248 a of the portion 244 a is flexibly extending a fastening portion 250 a. Despite the various portions 238 a, 244 a and 250 a are flexibly connected to the angular edge of the shelf 228 a or to one another, the various components of the lip 234 a form an integral structure with theshelf 21 a. In this embodiment, flexibility is provided through lines 252 a, 254 a and 256 a weakening the strength of the sheet material along these lines 252 a, 254 a and 256 a, and therefore providing increased flexibility. - The fastening portion 250 a collaborates with the bottom face 232 a of the
shelf 21 a to maintain the flange 227 a in a folded position. More specifically, the bottom face 232 a and the fastening portion 250 a are both provided with fastening means, such as, for example, complementary hook-and-loop fasteners 258 a, 260 a (e.g. Velcro™). A person skilled in the art will acknowledge that hook-and-loop fasteners 258 a, 260 a could suitably be replaced by snap fasteners or other releasable fasteners known in the art. Upon folding of the lip 236 a, the hook-and-loop fastener 260 a of the fastening portion 250 a engages the complementary hook-and loop fastener 258 a of the bottom face 232 a, therefore providing a releasable fastener. This particular configuration enables the unfolding of the lip 236 a to obtain a generally flat blank 234 a therefore facilitating the packaging and transport of theshelf 21 a. Further, the lip 236 a could be taken away fromshelf 21 a without departing from the scope of the embodiment. - As best shown in
FIG. 21 , theshelf 21 a is provided with a plurality ofshelf mounting tabs 114 a. As shown inFIG. 21 , theshelf mounting tabs 114 a are distributed in three sets, namely the side mounting tabs 182 a, the back mounting tabs 184 a and the front mounting tabs 162 a. Theshelf 21 a includes three, generally T-shaped, back mounting tabs 184 a, three generally L-shaped side mounting tabs 182 a and one generally T-shaped front mounting tab 162 a. The tabs 182 a, 184 a, and 162 a each include at least onefinger portion 112 a and ahead portion 116 a and are designed to simultaneously engage thetab mounting slots front panels head portions 116 a of tabs 182 a, 184 a and 162 a are sized to slip fit engagement in the head-receivingportions 72 a of thetab mounting slots finger portion 112 a is adapted to pass through the finger-receivingportion 71 a for allowing the assembly of theshelf 21 a to the side, back andfront panels slot 220 c to provide additional stability to thedisplay 10. - Similarly to
shelf 21 a, the shelf 23 (FIGS. 23 and 24 ) is generally rectangular but it will be understood that other shapes, such as generally square would also be possible. Therectangular shelf 23 includes a first or backedge 266, a second orfront edge 268, generally parallel withfirst edge 266 and twoside edges back edges top face 274 on which promotional material can be displayed, and a bottom face 276 (seeFIG. 24 ). Therectangular shelf 23 further includes a pair oflateral lips top face 274 at eachside edge front lip 280, similarly extending downwardly from thetop face 274, but from thefront edge 268 thereof. The flanges orlips rectangular shelf 23 and prevent undue bending thereof upon display of promotional material. Further, as it will be appreciated below, theside lips front face 28 a of theback panel 14 a (or thesecond face 111 a of theside panel 12 a) so as to provide additional support to theshelf 23 upon assembly to thedisplay 10. - As best shown in
FIG. 24 ,shelf 23 is folded from a blank 264 having afront lip 280, which forms an integral structure with therectangular shelf 23. Thefront lip 280 of therectangular shelf 23 generally includes a rectangular, elongated, first orfront portion 282 having a first ortop edge 284 flexibly connected to theedge 268 and a second orbottom edge 286. Thefront lip 280 also includes asecond portion 288 having a firsttop edge 290 flexibly connected to thebottom edge 286 of thefront portion 282 and a second orbottom edge 292. From thebottom edge 292 of thesecond portion 288 is flexibly extending afastening portion 294. Similarly toshelf 21 a, hinge means is provided throughlines - The
fastening portion 294 of thefront lip 280 collaborates with thebottom face 276 thereof to maintain thelip 280 in a folded position. Similarly toshelf 21 a, thebottom face 276 and thefastening portion 294 oflip 280 are both provided with complementary hook-and-loop fasteners lip 280, the hook-and-loop fasteners lip 280 while permitting unfolding for disassembly. - Since side flanges or
lips side lip 278 will be described with reference toFIG. 24 . A person skilled in the art will understand that the same description applies toside lip 279, with relevant adaptations. Theside lip 278 includes afirst side portion 306 having a first ortop edge 308 connected to theside edge 270 of theshelf 23 and a bottom edge 310 and asecond side portion 312. Theportion 312 includes abottom end 314 flexibly connected to the bottom end 310 of theside portion 306, and a top end 316. From the top end 316 of theinternal portion 312 extends afastening portion 318. Theside lip 278 forms an integral structure with therectangular shelf 23. Similarly tofront lip 280, hinge means is provided through dotted lines 320, 322, 324 to weaken the strength of the sheet material therealong and therefore providing increased flexibility. - The
fastening portion 318 of theside lip 278 collaborates with thebottom face 276 thereof to maintain thelip 280 in a folded position. Similarly tolip 280, thebottom face 276 and thefastening portion 318 oflip 278 are both provided with complementary hook-and-loop fasteners 326, 328. Upon folding, theside lip 278 generally defines a tapering profile having a panel adjoining end 330, adistal end 332, theside edge 266 of therectangular shelf 23 and bottom end 310 ofexternal side portion 306 extending therebetween. The panel adjoining end 330 is relatively long while thedistal end 332 is relatively short, both end extending generally vertically. Upon assembly of the rectangular shelf to theback panel 14 a (orside panel 12 a), the panel adjoining end 330 adjoins thefront surface 28 a of theback panel 14 a, therefore providing a vertical support to the rectangular shelf. - The
rectangular shelf 23 is provided with a plurality of generally T-shapedshelf mounting tabs 114 extending from theback edge 266. Thetabs 114 each include afinger portion 112 and a head portion 116 and are designed to simultaneously engage thetab mounting slots front panels tabs 114 is sized to slip fit engagement in the head-receivingportion 72 a of thetab mounting slots 176 and 65 a while thefinger portion 112 is adapted to pass through the finger-receivingportion 71 a for allowing the assembly of theshelf 21 a to the side andback panels - Now turning to
FIGS. 25 and 26 , the arch 16 will be described. The arch 16 generally includes a first orfront face 332, a second or back face 334 includingopenings 336, top and bottom faces 338, 340 and two, opposed, side ends 342, 344. Extending downwardly from thebottom face 340, at eachside end legs lower end 350 thereof anarch mounting foot 352. - As best shown in
FIG. 26 , the arch 16 is made from a folded blank 354. The blank 354 generally includes afront portion 356 and aback portion 358 connected to one another by a generally elongated,rectangular portion 360 that will define thetop surface 338 of the arch 16 upon folding of the blank 354, as it will be appreciated in greater details below. - The
rectangular centre portion 360 has a relatively largefront edge 362, a parallel, backedge 364 and two relatively short side edges 366, 368 extending between said front andback edges intermediate region 370 equidistant from each side edges 366,368 is defined afolding line 372 defining a right and a lefttop surface FIG. 25 ). - The
front portion 356 of the blank 354 includes aright front portion 378 and a left,adjacent portion 379. The left and rightfront portions right front portion 378 will be sufficient for describing bothfront portions front portion 356, theback portion 358 of the blank 354 includes aright back portion 380 and a left,adjacent back portion 381, the left and right backportions front portions - The
right front portion 378 of the blank 354 is provided with a rightfront panel 382, abottom flap panel 384, a first, upper,leg flap panel 386 and a second, lower,flap panel 388. Theleg flap panel 386 is provided with hook-and-loop fastener adapted to matedly connect with corresponding hook-and-loop fasteners provided on anotherleg flap panel 386. Similarly,lower flap panel 388 is provided with hook-and-loop fastener adapted to matedly connect with a corresponding hook-and-loop fasteners provided on anotherlower flap panel 388. Together, theflap panels - The right
front panel 382 has a generally L-shape and includes acore portion 390 and aleg portion 392. Thecore portion 390 includes afirst side end 394 defined by anangular edge 396, and a secondopposed end 398, to which is connected to theleg portion 392, as described below. Thecore portion 390 further includes atop edge 400 having a length L corresponding to the distance separating thefolding line 372 and theside edge 368 of therectangular portion 360, and abottom edge 402. The top edge of the core portion 400 a is flexibly connected to thefront edge 362 of thecenter portion 360, between thefolding line 372 and theside edge 368 thereof. - As best shown in
FIG. 26 . theangular edge 396 of thecore portion 390 extends from thetop edge 400 thereof, at a location proximal to thefolding line 372, away from thecenter portion 360. Theangular edge 396 defines and angle with a virtual line extending from thefolding line 372, so as to allow bending of thecenter portion 360 upon folding of the blank 354, as it will be described in the details below. - The
bottom flap panel 384 has a generally rectangular shape defined by afront edge 404, anopposed back edge 406 and two side edges 408, 410 extending therebetween. The front edge 404 a of the bottom flap panel 384 a is flexibly connected to thebottom edge 402 of thecore portion 390. - The
back portion 358 is provided withopenings 336 defined on thecore portion 390 of theback portions left back portion 381 is provided with and stabilising panel 416 flexibly extending from theedge 396 of thebottom flap panel 384. The stabilising panel 416 is provided with hook-and-loop fastener adapted to mate a complementary hook-and-loop fastener provided on thebottom flap panel 380 of the right back portion 378 d so as to maintain the shape of the arch 16 upon folding of the blank 354. - Now turning to
FIGS. 28 to 39 , the assembly of thedisplay 10 will be described. In a first step, as shown inFIGS. 28 and 29 , theside 216 a offront panel 18 a is connected to theedge 105 a of theside panel 12 a. To do so, a user first engages theupper hook 133 a of theside panel 12 a in theupper recess 160 a of thefront panel 18 a and moves the panels vertically relative to one another such that thefinger portion 86 a of theupper hook 133 a engages the first andsecond faces front panel 18 a within theU-shaped slot 81 a so as to prevent unwanted removal of theupper hook 133 a from theupper recess 160 a. Thefinger portion 86 a of thefirst tab 122 a of theconnection assembly 121 a is then inserted into one of the slots of lockingassembly 221 a. Similarly, the remaining tabs (123 a to 125 a) of theconnection assembly 121 a are inserted into the corresponding slots of the lockingassembly 221 a. As it will be understood by a person skilled in the art, theslots tabs FIG. 29 . It will be further understood thatslots alignment tabs FIG. 29 ,slots - Once the
front edge 105 a of theside panel 12 a adjoins thesecond face 216 a of thefront panel 18 a, the user gently slides via notches 83 thetabs 122 a to 125 a in the slots of the lockingassembly 221 a such that theU-shaped slot 81 a of thetabs 122 a to 125 a slip fit engage the locking assembly slots ofpanel 18 a. This can be accomplished with the user inserting his/her finger in thenotch 83 a and pulling towards the user. It will be understood that other pulling means (e.g. tabs) could be employed without departing from the invention. Upon engagement of theU-shaped slot 81 a of theconnection assembly tabs 122 a to 125 a, theside panel 12 a will be secured in a perpendicular orientation relative topanel 18 a (SeeFIG. 29 ). - Once the assembly of the first
front panel 18 a and thefirst side panel 12 a is completed, the user can turn to assembling thefirst connection assembly 33 a of theback panel 14 a to the lockingassembly 140 a of theside panel 12 a (FIG. 32 ). The upper stabilizingtab 50 a is first introduced in the upper stabilizingrecess 160 a, after which thefinger portion 86 a oftabs 36 a to 39 a are inserted into correspondingslots assembly 140 a. As the finger-receiving portions of the slots of locking assembly are offset as shown inFIG. 32 , the insertion of thefinger portions 86 a of tabs in the corresponding slots will require a slight curving of theback panel 14 a. Because the head portion of theslots tabs 36 a to 39 a inslots 141 a to 144 a will require a slight curving of the side panel. - Once the
left side edge 29 a of theback panel 14 a adjoins thefirst face 109 a of theside panel 12 a, the user gently slides thetabs 36 a to 37 a in theslots 141 a to 144 a such that theU-shaped slot 81 a of thetabs 36 a to 39 a engages in a slip fit fashion thepanel 12 a. Upon engagement of theslot 81 a, the slightly curved backpanel 14 a will also tend to become vertically straight, thus losing its slight curve, allowing thealignment tabs alignment slots side panel 12 a, respectively. - It will be understood that since
slots rear face 111 a of theside panel 12 a. This will allow the display to be extended in that orientation if the user so desires. - The assembly of the
center support 20 a is shown inFIG. 33 . Briefly, the assembly of the lockingassembly 201 a of thecenter support 20 a with thesecond connection assembly 35 a of theback panel 14 a is similar to the assembly of the firstfront panel 18 a to thefirst side panel 12 a described herein above. First, the user engages theupper hook 63 a of thesecond connection assembly 35 a of theback panel 14 a in theupper recess 191 a of thecenter support 20 a and the panels are moved vertically relative to one another such that theupper hook 63 a adjoins thefirst face 196 a of thefront center support 20 a so as to prevent unwanted removal of theupper hook 63 a from theupper recess 191 a. Thefinger portion 86 a of thefirst tab 52 a of thesecond connection assembly 35 a is then inserted into theslot 213 a of the first set of controversial slots of the locking assembly 201. Similarly, the remainingtabs 53 a to 55 a are inserted into the remainingslots tabs slots right edge 31 a of theback panel 14 a adjoins the first face 195 a of thecenter support 20 a, the tabs ofconnection assembly 35 a are engaged in the slots of lockingassembly 201 a securing thecenter support 20 perpendicular to theback panel 14 a, as seen inFIG. 33 . In this configuration, any forward moment bypanel 14 a will further move the head portion of the tab into the head receiving portion, therefore securing the connection further. - It will again be understood that because
slots - Now turning to
FIG. 34 to 36 , thefirst connection assembly 33 b of thesecond back panel 14 b is interlocked with the lockingassembly 201 a of thecenter support 20 a. As best shown inFIG. 36 , thetab 52 a of thesecond connection assembly 35 a of thefirst panel 14 a engages therecess 40 b of thefirst connection assembly 33 b of thesecond back panel 14 b. Further, the upper stabilizingtab 50 b of thesecond back panel 14 b is engaged in the upper tab-receivingrecess 64 a of thesecond connection assembly 35 a of thefirst back panel 14 a and theupper hook 63 a of the same is accommodated in the hook-receivingrecess 51 b of thefirst connection assembly 33 b of thesecond back panel 14 b. At thesame time tab 36 b is engaged inslot 211 a of thecenter panel 20 a and the other tabs are similarly engaged. - Shown in
FIGS. 37 and 38 is the assembly of thesecond side panel 12 b with the other, assembled, components of thedisplay 10. The assembly of the lockingassembly 140 b of theside panel 12 b with thesecond connection assembly 35 b of theback panel 14 b is generally similar to the assembly of thesecond connection assembly 33 a of thefirst back panel 14 a to lockingassembly 140 a of theside panel 12 a. As seen inFIG. 39 , the secondfront panel 18 b is connected to thefront edge 133 a ofside panel 12 b, in a manner similar to the assembly offront panel 18 a toside panel 12 a. - Further to the assembly of the side, back and
front panels shelves head portion 112 a of each shelf-mountingtab 114 a is passed through the head-receivingportion 71 a of oneslot 65 a on either one of the side, back andfront panels shelves FIGS. 1 and 2 . Once the head portion of thetabs 65 a are properly positioned, the user causes the shelf to move vertically relative to the panel member such that the head portion 116 of eachtab 114 engages the head-receivingportion 72 a of theslot 65 a. - The assembly of the arch 16 to the
side panels slots arch mounting slots - Despite the
display 10 having twoside panels back panels front panels FIGS. 41 to 44 ) or to make it smaller (as shown inFIG. 40 ). - According to another embodiment shown in
FIG. 40 , there is provided a display generally designated with thereference numeral 600. As it will become apparent fromFIG. 40 , thedisplay 600 is significantly abridged in that it includes only oneside panel 602 and oneback panel 604 that will be perpendicularly connected to one another by a simplified locking assembly. Thedisplay 600 could optionally be provided with an arrangement of slots allowing the assembly of shelves thereto. Optionally, display members such as baskets or grid hooks could be mounted differently. According to this embodiment theside panel 602 includes atop edge 606, abottom edge 608 and two left and right edges 610, 612 extending between the top andbottom edges side panel 602 further includes afirst face 614, and a second, opposed face 616. As shown inFIG. 40 , theside panel 602 includes a lockingassembly 618 similar in configuration to the locking assemblies noted previously and aconnection assembly 619, as noted previously. Because thedisplay 600 includes only one side panel an only one back panels, a person skilled in the art will understand that only one locking assembly and only one connection assembly are required for this particular design. Theback panel 604 includes atop edge 624, abottom edge 626 and twoside edges FIG. 40 , theback panel 604 includes a lockingassembly 629 similar in configuration to the locking assemblies noted previously and aconnection assembly 630, as noted previously. It will be understood by a person skilled in the relevant art that display 600 can be assembled based on the assembly ofdisplay 10 as described above and as such, will not be described further. - Other embodiments of the display are shown in
FIGS. 41 to 44 . As shown inFIGS. 43 and 44 , there is provideddisplay 11 having a number of side panels (12 a, 12 b, 12 c) interlocked with a number of back panels (14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d), front panels (18 a, 18 b, 18 c), center panels (20 a, 20 b), archs (16 a and 16 b) and shelves (21 a to 21 d, 23 a and 23 b). As shown inFIG. 41 , there is provideddisplay 13 having a number of side panels (12 a, 12 b, 12 c) interlocked with a number of back panels (14 a to 14 f), front panels (18 a to 18 d), center panels (20 a, 20 b), archs (16 a and 16 b) and shelves (21 a to 21 d, 23 a and 23 b). As shown inFIG. 42 , there is provideddisplay 15 having a number of side panels (12 a, 12 b, 12 c) interlocked with a number of back panels (14 a to 14 g), front panels (18 a to 18 d), center panels (20 a to 20 c), archs (16 a and 16 b) and shelves (21 a to 21 d, 23 a and 23 b). - It will be understood that the
displays 11 to 15 can be assembled based on the assembly ofdisplay 10 as described above and as such, will not be described further. - Although the foregoing description and accompanying drawings relate to specific preferred embodiments of the present invention as presently contemplated by the inventor, it will be understood that various changes, modifications and adaptations, may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Claims (43)
1. A kit for a display, the kit comprising a first and a second panel:
the first panel having a first and second edge, the first edge having at least one set of connection tabs extending therefrom;
the second panel having a first and second edge, the first edge having a set of locking slots; the locking slots adapted to receive the set of connection tabs of the first panel when the first panel is oriented generally perpendicular to the second panel.
2. The kit of claim 1 wherein the set of locking slots of the second panel comprises first and second, spaced apart, locking slots.
3. The kit of claim 1 wherein the set of locking slots of the second panel comprises first and second pairs of locking slots, the first pair of locking slots being spaced apart from the second pair of locking slots.
4. The kit of claim 3 wherein each of the connection tabs comprises a head portion extending from the first edge of the first panel and at least one elongated finger portion extending from the head portion.
5. The kit of claim 4 wherein each member of the pair of locking slots comprises at least one finger-receiving portion sized to allow the passage of the at least one elongated finger portion and the head portion of one connection tab therethrough and a head-receiving portion adapted to receive the head portion of the connection tab.
6. The kit of claim 5 wherein the head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots are aligned along a vertical axis extending generally parallel to the first and second edges of the second panel and the head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis; and wherein the head-receiving portions of the first and second pairs of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis and the finger-receiving portions of the first and second pair of locking slots are offset along the vertical axis.
7. The kit of claim 6 wherein the second edge of the first panel comprises a second set of connection tabs extending therefrom.
8. The kit of claim 7 wherein each of the first and second set of connection tabs comprises a pair of connection tabs, each pair including a first member and a second, spaced apart, member.
9. The kit of claim 8 wherein the elongated fingers of each first member of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is oriented in a first direction and each second member of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is oriented in a second direction, the first and second directions being opposite to one another.
10. The kit of claim 9 wherein the first direction of the first members of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is the same.
11. The kit of claim 9 wherein the first direction of the first members of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is opposite.
12. The kit of claim 9 wherein the first and second edges of the first panel further comprises a first pair of spaced apart recesses proximal to the first pair of connection tabs and a second pair of spaced apart recesses proximal to the second pair of connection tabs, each recess being adapted to receive a connection tab therein, the first and second members of the first pair of recesses being aligned along a horizontal axis extending generally perpendicularly to the first and second edges of the first panel with the first and second members of the second pair of connection tabs, the first and second members of the second pair of recesses being aligned along the horizontal axis with the first and second members of the first pair of connection tabs.
13. The kit of claim 12 wherein the second edge of the second panel comprises a set of connection tabs extending therefrom.
14. The kit of claim 13 wherein the kit further comprises a third panel, the third panel having a first and second edge, the first edge having at least one set of locking slots adapted to receive the connection tabs of the first panel or the second panel when the third panel is generally perpendicular to the first panel or the second panel.
15. The kit of claim 14 wherein the set of locking slots of the third panel comprise a first and second pair of locking slots, the first pair of locking slots being spaced apart from the second pair of locking slots.
16. The kit of claim 15 wherein each member of the pair of the locking slots of the third panel comprises a finger-receiving portion sized to allow the passage of the at least one finger portion and the head portion of the connection tab therethrough and a head-receiving portion adapted to receive the head portion of the connection tab.
17. The kit of claim 16 wherein the head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots of the third panel are aligned along a vertical axis extending generally parallel to the first and second edges of the third panel and the head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis; and wherein the head-receiving portions of the first and second pairs of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis and the finger-receiving portions of the first and second pairs of locking slots are offset along the vertical axis.
18. The kit of claim 16 wherein the head-receiving and the finger receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots of the third panel are aligned along a vertical axis of the third panel and the head-receiving and the finger receiving portions of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis, the head-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots and the head-receiving portion of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis and the finger-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots and the finger-receiving portion of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis.
19. The kit of claim 17 wherein the third panel further comprises a third and fourth spaced apart edges extending between the first and second edges thereof, wherein the width of the third edge along a horizontal axis extending generally perpendicularly to the first and second edges of the third panel is greater than the width of the fourth edge along the horizontal axis.
20. The kit of claim 19 wherein the kit further comprises a fourth panel, the fourth panel having a first and second edge and one set of locking slots adapted to receive the connection tabs of the first or second panel when the fourth panel is generally perpendicular to the first panel or the second panel, the set of locking slots being located between the first and second edge.
21. The kit of claim 20 wherein each member of the pair of the locking slots of the fourth panel comprises a finger-receiving portion sized to allow the passage of the finger portion and the head portion of the connection tab therethrough and a head-receiving portion adapted to receive the head portion of the connection tab.
22. The kit of claim 21 wherein the head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots of the fourth panel are aligned along a vertical axis extending generally parallel to the first and second edges of the fourth panel and the head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis; and wherein the head-receiving portions of the first and second pairs of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis and the finger-receiving portions of the first and second pairs of locking slots are offset along the vertical axis.
23. The kit of claim 21 wherein the head-receiving and the finger receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots of the fourth panel are aligned along a vertical axis of the fourth panel and the head-receiving and the finger receiving portions of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis, the head-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots and the head-receiving portion of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis and the finger-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots and the finger-receiving portion of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis.
24. A display comprising first and second, generally vertical, panels:
the first panel having a first and second edge, the first edge having at least one set of connection tabs extending therefrom; each of the connection tabs including a head portion extending from the first edge of the first panel and at least one elongated finger portion extending from the head portion,
the second panel being oriented generally perpendicular to the first panel and having a first and second edge, the first edge having at least two spaced apart locking slots for receiving the set of connection tabs of the first panel therein, each locking slot including at least one finger-receiving portion sized to allow the passage of the at least one elongated finger portion and the head portion of one connection tab therethrough and a head-receiving portion receiving the head portion of the connection tab, wherein the head-receiving portion of the at least two locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis and the finger-receiving thereof are offset along the vertical axis.
25. An expandable display comprising first and second, generally vertical, panels:
the first panel having a first and second edge, the first edge having at least one set of connection tabs extending therefrom; each of the connection tabs including a head portion extending from the first edge of the first panel and at least one elongated finger portion extending from the head portion,
the second panel being oriented generally perpendicular to the first panel and having a first and second edge, the first edge having a set of locking slots; the locking slots receiving the set of connection tabs of the first panel and including first and second pairs of locking slots, the first pair of locking slots being spaced apart from the second pair of locking slots and including at least one finger-receiving portion sized to allow the passage of the at least one elongated finger portion and the head portion of one connection tab therethrough and a head-receiving portion receiving the head portion of the connection tab,
wherein the head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the first pair of locking slots are aligned along a vertical axis of the second panel and the head-receiving and the finger-receiving portions of the second pair of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis; and wherein the head-receiving portions of the first and second pairs of locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis and the finger-receiving portions of the first and second pair of locking slots are offset along the vertical axis.
26. The expandable display of claim 25 wherein the second edge of the first panel comprises a second set of connection tabs extending therefrom.
27. The expandable display of claim 26 wherein each of the first and second set of connection tabs comprises a pair of connection tabs, each pair including a first member and a second, spaced apart, member.
28. The expandable display of claim 25 wherein the elongated fingers of each first member of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is oriented in a first direction and each second member of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is oriented in a second direction, the first and second directions of the first and second members of one pair of connection tabs being opposite to one another.
29. The expandable display of claim 28 wherein the first direction of the first members of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is the same.
30. The expandable display of claim 28 wherein the first direction of the first members of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is opposite.
31. The expandable display of claim 28 wherein the first and second edges of the first panel further comprises a first pair of spaced apart recesses proximal to the first pair of connection tabs and a second pair of spaced apart recesses proximal to the second pair of connection tabs, each recess being adapted to receive a connection tab therein, the first and second members of the first pair of recesses being aligned along a horizontal axis extending generally perpendicularly to the first and second edges of the first panel with the first and second members of the second pair of connection tabs, the first and second members of the second pair of recesses being aligned along the horizontal axis with the first and second members of the first pair of connection tabs.
32. The expandable display of claim 31 wherein the second edge of the second panel comprises a set of connection tabs extending therefrom.
33. The expandable display of claim 32 wherein the display further comprises a third panel mounted to one of the first and second panel, the third panel having a first and second edge, the first edge having at least one set of locking slots receiving the connection tabs of the first panel or the second panel when the third panel mounted thereto.
34. The expandable display of claim 33 wherein the third panel further comprises a third and fourth spaced apart edges extending between the first and second edges thereof, wherein the width of the third edge along a horizontal axis extending generally perpendicularly to the first and second edges of the third panel is greater than the width of the fourth edge along the horizontal axis.
35. The expandable display of claim 34 wherein the display further comprises a fourth panel mounted to the other of first and second panel, the fourth panel having a first and second edge and one set of locking slots adapted to receive the connection tabs of the other of first or second panel when the fourth panel is mounted thereto.
36. The expandable display of claim 25 further comprising a shelf mounted to at least one of the first and second panel.
37. A panel for a display, the panel comprising a first and second edge, the first edge having a set of connection tabs extending therefrom; each of the connection tabs including a head portion extending from the first edge of the first panel and at least one elongated finger portion extending from the head portion.
38. The panel of claim 37 wherein the second edge of the first panel comprises a second set of connection tabs extending therefrom.
39. The panel of claim 38 wherein each of the first and second set of connection tabs comprises a pair of connection tabs, each pair including a first member and a second, spaced apart, member.
40. The panel of claim 39 wherein the elongated fingers of each first member of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is oriented in a first direction and each second member of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is oriented in a second direction, the first and second directions of the first and second members of one pair of connection tabs being opposite to one another.
41. The panel of claim 40 wherein the first direction of the first members of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is the same.
42. The panel of claim 40 wherein the first direction of the first members of the first and second pairs of connection tabs is opposite.
43. A panel for a display, the panel comprising a first and second edge, the first edge having at least two locking slots for receiving the set of connection tabs of the first panel therein, each locking slot including at least one finger-receiving portion sized to allow the passage of the at least one elongated finger portion and the head portion of one connection tab therethrough and a head-receiving portion receiving the head portion of the connection tab, wherein the head-receiving portion of the at least two locking slots are aligned along the vertical axis and the finger-receiving portions are offset along the vertical axis.
Priority Applications (1)
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US11/729,035 US20080237169A1 (en) | 2007-03-28 | 2007-03-28 | Portable display |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
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US11/729,035 US20080237169A1 (en) | 2007-03-28 | 2007-03-28 | Portable display |
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US20100176164A1 (en) * | 2009-01-13 | 2010-07-15 | Gregory May | Polymer plastic body worn case |
US8540083B2 (en) | 2010-04-06 | 2013-09-24 | Isaac Waksul | Plate stand for random assortment of plates |
US8540084B2 (en) | 2010-04-06 | 2013-09-24 | Isaac Waksul | Plate stands for various plate assortments |
US8844733B2 (en) | 2010-04-06 | 2014-09-30 | Isaac Waksul | Plate stand |
US9089231B2 (en) | 2010-04-06 | 2015-07-28 | Isaac Waksul | Plate stand |
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US9357861B2 (en) | 2010-04-06 | 2016-06-07 | Isaac Waksul | Plate stand |
US9480368B2 (en) * | 2012-08-08 | 2016-11-01 | Alexander KNOLL, SR. | Arrangement for fastening a shelf device |
US9192251B1 (en) | 2014-06-06 | 2015-11-24 | Target Brands, Inc. | Double end frame |
WO2017044413A1 (en) * | 2015-09-07 | 2017-03-16 | Arquifoam Ip, Llc | Process for the production of displays from alveolar or cell plates of thermoplastic polymers and/or copolymers |
US20180242759A1 (en) * | 2015-09-07 | 2018-08-30 | Arquifoam Ip, Llc | Process for the production of displays from alveolar or cell plates of thermoplastic polymers and/or copolymers |
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US20170265655A1 (en) * | 2016-03-17 | 2017-09-21 | Great Northern Corporation | Foldable display units |
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US10750866B2 (en) * | 2016-12-20 | 2020-08-25 | Innerworkings, Inc. | Display unit with built-in shelving supports |
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Legal Events
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Owner name: XTRA-TEC MINI STORAGE INC., CANADA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MAY, GREGORY;REEL/FRAME:020163/0638 Effective date: 20071016 |
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