US2882629A

US2882629A - Collapsible display sign

Info

Publication number: US2882629A
Application number: US716399A
Authority: US
Inventors: Howard E Moebius
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-02-20
Filing date: 1958-02-20
Publication date: 1959-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 1976-04-21

Description

United States Patent-O This invention relates to collapsible display signs of the type fabricated from cardboard or similar flexible material.

Display signs of this general type are used in merchandising articles in food stores, for example. They must be produced inexpensively and still be attractive in appearance and capable of withstanding rather rough treatment. These signs are often of considerable size when erected, but should be very compact when disassembled for shipping or storage purposes.

In accordance with the present invention, a display device of the above type has been provided which is fabricated from. lightweight cardboard stock and which is exceptionally rigid when in the assembled position. The device is readily disassembled from the display position and .the display card and its support capable of being packed into a compact package suitable for mailing.

The construction of the display card itself is such that .a firm rigid bar is formed across the top thereof, said bar reinforcing the card as well as supporting the entire weight thereof. In addition, this rigid top-bar, which is formed integrally with the display card, cooperates with reinforcing vertical edges of the card to hold the edges in a position whereby they afiord maximum reinforcing characteristics.

The accompanying drawing illustrates the best mode presently contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view taken generally from the rear, of a display sign made in accordance with this invention; and

Figure 2 is a view of the display card itself in the fully disassembled and unfolded position and as cut and scored from a sheet of stock.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the complete display unit 5 has been shown as mounted on a bottle 6 of a carton of bottles, the latter of which acts as a base for the unit.

The support 7 consists of a round tubular piece of cardboard which may be of any desired length. If desired, a second tubular piece 8, of slightly different diameter than tube 7, may be telescopingly mounted on tube 7 so as to form a support of readily adjustable height. The friction between the tubes 7 and 8 retain them in any position relative to one another. The lower end of the support is simply inserted over the top of a bottle 6 which then acts as a base.

The display card 10 of the unit is fabricated from a sheet or roll of cardboard stock or the like. It should be noted that this stock consists of thin material which is relatively inexpensive and by itself, as it comes from the stock, has no appreciable rigidity.

As shown in Figure 2, the card 10 has three

parallel lines

11, 12 and 13 scored across its width and adjacent its upper edge 14, thus defining an inner panel 15, central panel 16 and outer panel 17. An oval-shaped aper- 2,882,629 Patented Apr. 21, 1959 ice ture 18 is cut into the central portion of panel 16 for receiving the upper end of support 7.

- A line 19 is scored across the card adjacent its lower edge and defines a bottom panel 20 having an aperture 21 cut in the central portion thereof. A line 22 is scored adjacent one of the sides of the card to define a side panel 23 and a parallel line 24 is scored adjacent the opposite side of the card to define another side panel 25. It will be noted that the side panels terminate a distance short of the entire height of the card.

The card described above is formed by a die cutting operation which gives it the outline shown and forms the

apertures

18 and 21.

v The card is sufficiently thin so as to be capable of being rolled up from the position shown in Figure 2, and inserted in tube 7. If the additional tube 8 is used, the smaller tube would first beinserted within the larger tube and then the rolled card would be inserted in the'inner tube. Thus a compact and strong mailing package is provided which requires no wrapping, the support itself forms a mailing tube.

To assemble the unit, the lower flange 20 is turned rearwardly and its aperture 21 receives the tube 7. Thus the lower flange reinforces and stiffens the lower edge of the card. The aperture 21 is of such a size as to receive the tube rather snugly.

I The

side panels

23 and 25 are then turned rearwardly and their upperends are folded farther until they contact the back side of the card.

The

top panels

15, 16 and 17 are then folded by creasing the scored

lines

11, 12 and 13, to assume the position shown in Figure '1. In this position, the upper edge 14 bears against the front edge of the panel 15, more particularly along the scored line 11. The central panel 16 is inclined at an angle, while the panel 15 is substantially horizontal and defines the top side of the unit.

Because the panel 16 is inclined in the assembled position, the aperture 18 is of oval shape so as to snugly receive the vertical support tube 7.

The tube is then also inserted through aperture 18,

and the flange 20 is pulled downwardly on the tube so as to make the card display surface 27 taut on the tube. Frictional resistance to movement between the flange 20 at the aperture 21 and the tube 7 helps to hold the display surface 26 in an extended or flat position.

The tube, when inserted in aperture 18, prevents the bar formed by the top panels from unfolding. The upper ends of the side panels are held securely between the bar and the back side of the card proper.

The upper end of the tube 7 bears against the panel 15 and the

panels

15, 16 and 17 form a rigid tubular bar across the top of the card. The weight of the card is supported by the bar which rests on the tubular support 7 and forms a T-shaped support structure therewith.

The

side panels

23 and 25 stiffen the side edges of the card and aid in maintaining the display surface 26 in a flat position. The

panels

23 and 25 are turned rearwardly and are held along most of their length in a direction substantially normal to the card proper by being inserted under the rigid top bar as mentioned. Stated otherwise, the upper end of the side panels are inserted under the panel 17 which then prevents the

side panels

23 and 25 from returning to their normal or unfolded position.

By means of this invention, an eflicient display sign has been provided which is economical to manufacture and easily assembled or disassembled. Although the card is formed from relatively thin material, it is held in a fiat and rigid position when it is used. The card can be rolled within its support to form a compact and durable package for storage or mailing.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are con templated as .being within the scopeof-the following .claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

I claimf l. A display unit comprising, an11pright:support, a display card formed from-a blank of'thin stock and having adjacent its-top edge a plurality of panels said panels turned to form a-rigidtubular bar across the top of'said card, said bar having an-aperture through which-saidsupport may be inserted into said bar, a-bottom panel along the lower edge of said card and having an aperture through whichsaid support .passes, and a foldedreinforcing panel at each side of said card and having atop and inserted between said bar and saidcard'to thereby .hold said reinforcing "panels ina folded position.

2. A display unit comprising, an upright support, :a display card formedfrom a blank of thin paper stock and having adjacent its top edge a central panel and a vertical panel all foldably connected together,saidpanels folded relativeto one another toform afrigid'tubular bar across the top of'said card, sa'id'bar horizontal top :panel,a

having an aperture'through which said support may be inserted-into said bar, a bottom panel along the lower edge of said card and having an aperture through which said support passes, and a 'folded reinforcing panel'at each side of saidcard and having a'top end insertedbetween said bar and saidcard to thereby hold said reinforcing v panels in a folded position.

3. A display unit comprising, a display :card :formed from a blank of thin cardboard stockand having adjacent its top edge a plurality of parallel scored lines which define a top panel, 'a central panel anda vertical panel, said panels foldable to form a "rigid tubular bar across the top of said card, said central panel having an aperture through which said support maybe inserted :into said bar Where it bears against said top -panel,'a bottom panel along the lower-edge'ofsaidcard andh'aving an aperturethrou'gh=Whichsaid=supportsnugly passes, and a folded reinforcing 'panel at each "side of said card 'andhaving 'a top end inserted between said bar andsaid card to thereby hold said reinforcing :panels in a folded position.

4. A knockdown, paperboard,tdisplay unit comprising;

a tubular uprightsupport,

.an upright .tuhularpaperboardsupport, a display card cut and scored from a blank of thin paperboard stock and having adjacent its top edge a plurality of parallel scored lines which define a top panel, a central panel and a vertical panel, said panels foldable to form a rigid tubular bar across the top of said card, said bar having an aperture through which said support may be inserted into said bar to prevent said bar from unfolding and to bear against said bar for supporting said card, -a bottom panel along the lower cdgeuof said card-and having an aperture through which said support passes in frictional engagement with said bottom panel, and-a scored line at each side of-said card which eachdefine a foldable .side panel, and having a top end inserted between said bar and said card to thereby hold said reinforcing panels in a folded position.

5. In a display unit, an upright support, a display card formed from a blank of thin stock and having adjacent its top edge-a plurality :of panels, said panels turned to form -a rigid tubular "bar across the top of said card, said 'bar'hav'ing an aperture through which said support may be inserted into saidbar, and a folded-reinforcing panel at folded position. 6. In'a knockdown,1paperboard,'display unit, an upright tubular paperboard support, a display card cut and scored 'frorn a blank'o'f thin paperboard stock and "having adjacent its 'top edge a plurality of parallel scored lines 'whichdefine a top'panel, a central panel :and a vertical panel, said panels foldable to 'form a'rigid tubular bar across the "top of said card, said bar having 'an aperture -'-throug'h'which said support may be inserted into said bar to prevent said'ba'r from 'unfolding and to bear against said bar for supporting said card, and a scored line at each side of'said card which-each define afoldable side panel "having a 'top 'endinserted between said 'bar and said card totherebyhdldsaid reinforcingpanels in a folded position.

'References-Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,270,763 Nofziger- .Jan. 20, '1942 2,654,970 Miller Oct. .13, 1953 2,764,829 Kingman Oct. 2, 1956