WO2006064464A2

WO2006064464A2 - A stand for a banner and a method for erecting a stand and mounting the banner

Info

Publication number: WO2006064464A2
Application number: PCT/IB2005/054205
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian Thostrup
Original assignee: Tech View A/S
Priority date: 2004-12-15
Filing date: 2005-12-13
Publication date: 2006-06-22
Also published as: WO2006064464A3; DK200401938A

Abstract

A stand (1) serving for keeping at least one banner (2) extended. The stand comprises at least two vertical telescopic rods (5) , at least one upper - and lower horizontal crossbar (4 ' ,4' ') for mounting an upper - and lower edge region, respectively (7' , 7' ' ) , of the at least one banner (2) , and an upper - and lower connector (3 ',3' ') located on at least one of the telescopic rods (5) for pivotally about at least one pair of preferably horizontal axes of rotation mounting a pair of the upper - and lower horizontal crossbars, respectively (4 ' ,4' ; ) , whereby the axes of rotation of each pair of axes of rotation form an angle (alpha) with each other. By means of this structure high stands can be erected for three- dimensional banners . Upon erecting the stand, adjacent telescopic rods (5) are pushed up in turns one step at a time with intermediate interlocking.

Description

A stand for a banner and a method for erecting a stand and mounting the banner

The invention relates to a stand for keeping at least one banner extended and a method for erecting the stand and mounting the banner

More specifically the stand comprises at least to vertical rods having axes that, seen in the position of use, are vertically oriented, at least one upper - and one lower crossbar for mounting upper - and lower edge regions, respectively, of the at least one banner, and an upper - and a lower connector fitted on at least one of the vertical rods for mounting pivotally about at least a pair of horizontal, also seen in the position of use, axes of rotation a pair of upper - and lower crossbars, respectively.

Banners for mounting on stands of this kind are typically set up in exhibition halls or at trade shows, where they are used for advertising e.g. a product or a service. Usually the banners are only temporarily set up on the site. Therefore, they are made up of a number of components that can be assembled and disassembled, respectively, relatively quickly and easily, and that take up as little space as possible in disassembled state to thereby minimize the transportation and storage costs .

U.S. Patent No. 6,370,803 discloses a stand which is constructed of both vertical and horizontal telescopic rods. The stand can therefore be adapted to banners of different heights and widths. It is erected and adapted by telescoping the telescopic rods to a desired length, whereupon the banner is mounted on the horizontal telescopic rods. During these telescopic actions, the stand can however easily become distorted but this risk is eliminated by assembling the horizontal - and vertical telescopic rods by means of swivel connectors allowing both ends of the horizontal telescopic rods to turn about their own vertical axis in relation to the associated vertical telescopic rod. Due to the above rotatability, two stands sharing a vertical telescopic rod can furthermore be mounted in positions, in which they form an angle with each other.

The known stand is however difficult and time-consuming to assemble and disassemble and especially so if the banners are high. Furthermore, it is difficult to align a distorted banner.

A connector is furthermore known from the patent specification WO 0180206 for connecting pivotally about a horizontal pair of axes of rotation two crossbars in a banner frame having a vertical rod. The axes of rotation of the pair of axes of rotation are however not aligned or in the same horizontal plane, and the connector can therefore only be used for two- dimensional banners .

In a first aspect of the invention a stand of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided, that is easier and quicker to mount and dismount than hitherto known.

In a second aspect of the invention a stand of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided, that has a simple and inexpensive structure.

In a third aspect of the invention a stand of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided, that is lightweight and takes up very little space in disassembled state.

In a fourth aspect of the invention a stand of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided, that is arranged to automatically keep the banner extended. In a fifth aspect of the invention a stand of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided, that is arranged to be able to adjust the height position of the at least one banner on the stand.

In a sixth aspect of the invention a stand of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided, that is arranged to automatically compensate for assembly inaccuracies .

In a seventh aspect of the invention a stand of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided, that has at least three vertical rods having axes that are not on the same plane.

In an eighth aspect of the invention a stand of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided for at least one high banner.

In a ninth aspect of the invention a stand of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided having vertical rods in form of telescopic rods.

According to the invention the axes of rotation of the pair of axes of rotation form an angle to each other, whereby it will now be possible to erect banner stands for at least two banners that are not on the same plane, or for a banner having at least one vertical fold line. Or in other words, three- dimensional banner structures can now be formed that, seen in horizontal section, can take the form of e.g. polygons. The configuration of the polygons is determined by the angle that the axes of rotation of the pair of axes of rotation form with each other. The stand can advantageously be arranged in such a way that the axes of rotation are horizontal in the erected state of the stand.

Each crossbar can furthermore be directly or indirectly pivotally mounted on the associated connector by means of a journal pin in a seat. This seating means that a restraining moment acting in a plane comprising the respective axis of rotation can be transmitted between the crossbar and the associated connector.

If the vertical rods are telescopic rods, the banner is most easily mounted on the upper crossbars in the telescoped position of the telescopic rods, whereby the operator can stand on the supporting surface during erecting of the stand and mounting of the banner.

It is difficult to push these telescopic rods up to a desired height all at once. Therefore, they are typically pushed up one by one. As two crossbars are extending from each connector, that during this can be made to rotate about the axes of rotation and thereby can be inclined in relation to a horizontal plane, adverse moments acting in a plane comprising the axes of rotation are exerted on the seatings of the crossbars.

As mentioned above, it would be advantageous if the stand were made up of components that could be detachably connected to each other. Thereby, the stand will take up as little space as possible in disassembled state, whereby the stand's transportation and storage costs can be kept at a minimum.

Usually, it is required of banners of the above-mentioned kind that their stand can be assembled and disassembled again quickly and easily. The strength that the loose seating of the crossbars in the connectors can gain is therefore reduced by this demand.

This constraint means that the adverse moments can become larger than the restraining moments if a telescopic rod is pushed too far up in relation to adjacent telescopic rods, whereby the seating of the crossbars in the connectors can be dislodged and the stand collapse.

According to the invention, this problem is solved by pushing the telescopic rods up in stages so that e.g. adjacent telescopic rods are pushed up in turns one step at a time. If the step is not too large, the adverse moments can be kept within limits that are lower than the restraining moments.

If the axes of rotation and the bisector of the angle that the axes of rotation form with each other intersect the axis of the respective telescopic rod or an area near this rod, the advantage is obtained that the adverse moments are minimized in a given situation, and that the telescopic rods therefore can be pushed up to a desired height in as few steps as possible. The area can be within a circle having its centre in the axis of the telescopic rod and a diameter of less than 5 mm.

In one embodiment according to the invention the top part of each telescopic rod can be firmly connected to the associated connector. Thereby, the axes of rotation of the connectors and the bisector are maintained at the angle they form with each other in an orientation perpendicular to the axis of the telescopic rod. When the telescopic rods are pushed up, this axis will however deviate a little from the vertical as a result of the telescopic rods being bent, especially the top part. This means that the connectors will often be a little inclined in relation to the initial position during erecting of the stand, and that adverse moments thereby are created that are harmful to the seating of the crossbars.

In a second embodiment according to the invention, the top part of each telescopic rod and the associated connector can be pivotally connected to each other about the bisector of that angle that the axes of rotation form with 'each other. Thereby, the bisector maintains its orientation in relation to the axis of the telescopic rod, and it will therefore be a little inclined in relation to a horizontal plane during erecting of the stand. Thereby, adverse moments can be created that, also in this case, subject the seatings of the crossbars to stresses. The total intensity of the adverse moments is however limited by the fact that the connector is allowed to turn about the bisector during erecting of the stand. Thereby, the restraining moments keep the respective connector in balance so that the inclination of the axes of rotation during the erecting of the stand and' thereby the adverse moments will be as small as possible.

In a third embodiment according to the invention a connector can be mounted on the top part of the associated telescopic rod in such a way that the connector cannot be displaced along the axis of the telescopic bar but is allowed to turn in all directions, for example by means of a ball joint. Thereby, the advantage is obtained in that the telescopic rod cannot transmit moments to the connector when the rod deflects during the erecting of the stand. However, the connector is partly retained by the restraining moments .

The angles that the axes of rotation of the pairs of axes of rotation can form with each other are chosen in such a way that the stand, seen in horizontal section, can form desired polygons which e.g. can be hexagonal, tetragonal, octagonal, or combinations of such geometrical figures . In a simple embodiment only a single pair of axes of rotation can be associated to a connector. Then, there has to be a separate connector for each angle that the axes of rotation of the pair of axes of rotation are desired to form with each other.

In another embodiment one connector can have several pairs of axes of rotation, each having axes of rotation that mutually form an angle of a different size than the angle that each of the axes of rotation of the other pairs of axes of rotation form with each other. Thereby, the storage costs for connectors can be reduced as one connector having several pairs of axes of rotation can be used as multiconnector for several different polygon types.

A multiconnector can for example be constructed with a ring or ring section having a polygon-shaped periphery with sides perpendicular to the axes of the pairs of axes of rotation, whereby the multiconnector is given a simple and expedient structure.

The invention will be explained in greater details below, describing only exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing, in which

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a stand according to the invention with a mounted banner and some of the parts removed;

Fig. 2 is on a larger scale an exploded perspective view of an upper corner of the stand in fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fractional perspective view of a corner of the stand in fig. 1 with mounted banner;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the stand in fig. 1 during erecting; Fig. 5 is on a larger scale an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a connector for assembling the stand in fig. 1 with the top part of a vertical rod which is part of the stand; and

Fig. 6 is on a larger scale an exploded perspective view of a second connector for assembling the stand in fig. 1 with the top part of a vertical rod which is part of the stand.

Fig. 1 shows a stand 1 which is in a final position, in which it supports a banner 2 forming, in the case shown, an equilateral triangle, seen in horizontal section.

Upper - and lower edge regions 7 ' and 7 ' ' of the banner 2 are detachably mounted on the upper - and lower crossbars 4' and 4' ' respectively by means of e.g. Velcro©.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of an upper corner of the stand with the upper connector 3 ' for detachably assembling the crossbars 4' with the top part 8 of the telescopic rod 5 via the clamps 6' .

The connector 3' shown is made up of a base 9, two arms 10 attached on the base and forming an angle α with each other, and a ring 11 made with a cylindrical central aperture 12 having an axis 13 which is vertical in the position of use of the stand. The ring 11 is connected to the base 9 via a connecting tab 15.

A through hole 16 is furthermore made in each arm 10, said arm has an axis 17 which is horizontal in the position of use of the stand and intersects the vertical axis 13 of the central aperture 12. The bisector 14 of the angle α also intersects the vertical axis 13 of the central aperture 12. In the top part 8 of the upper pipe 5 ' of the telescopic rod 5 a pin 18 having a collar 19 and a projecting, cylindrical head 20 is inserted. Upon mounting the pin is placed in the central aperture of the ring with the collar bearing on the lower side of the ring. The thus formed connection is rigid as both the central aperture and the head of the pin are cylindrical.

The upper clamps 6' are each provided with a pivot pin 21 for pivotally seating the clamp in the through hole 16 in the arm 10 of one of the connectors about the axis 17 of this hole upon mounting, this axis will thus be the axis of rotation of the clamp and thereby of the upper crossbar. Then, the ends of each crossbar 4' are clamped in each their clamp 6' .

In this way the crossbars can rotate about their axes of rotation 17 but are retained by a restraining moment acting in a plane comprising the axes of rotation.

The lower corner of the stand is arranged in the same way as described above, the only difference being that the lower pipe

5 ' ' of the telescopic rod is extending through the central aperture 12 in the ring 11 of the lower connector 3 ' ' . The fit between the central aperture and the lower pipe is arranged in such a way that it allows the connector to slide freely down long the lower pipe, whereby the banner 2 is automatically extended upon mounting on the upper - and lower crossbars 4',

4'' respectively. The extended position of the banner can be retained by means of a screw (not shown) screwed in towards the lower pipe of the telescopic rod via a threaded hole (not shown) in the connector.

The arms of the connector in fig. 2 form a constant angle with each other. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) , the arms can be pivotally mounted on the ring of the connector about the axis of this connector and be arranged to be locked in positions of rotation, in which they form the wanted angle with each other. Thereby, the advantage is obtained in that the same connector can be used for stands that, seen in horizontal section, form different polygons.

Fig. 3 is a fractional view of an entire corner of the stand in fig. 1 with mounted banner. Some of the parts have been removed to better illustrate the design of the stand.

The upper part of the corner corresponds to the corner in fig. 2 in assembled state, and the lower part to the corresponding lower corner.

In the case shown in fig. 3, the stand is assumed to be in its initial position, in which the two pipes 5' and 5' ' of the telescopic rods 5 are telescoped into each other so that the operator easily and conveniently can mount the upper edge region 7' of the banner 2 on the upper crossbars 4' while he/she is standing on the supporting surface.

After in this way fastening the banner on the upper crossbars of the stand, the telescopic rods must be pushed up to thereby get the banner extended and positioned at a desired height above the supporting surface.

The telescopic rods in the stand in fig. 1 can of course be pushed up all at once. But it is difficult and often downright impossible if there is only one operator available. In this case, the telescopic rods must therefore be pushed up one at a time, whereby the connectors of the stand will temporarily be at different heights above the supporting surface.

At first, that is in the initial position, the bisector 14, the two axes of rotation 17, and the upper crossbars 4' with the clamp 6' are oriented horizontally. When the connectors are at different heights, the crossbars are inclined, and the telescopic rods are bent in towards each other and subjected to stress loadings as shown in fig. 4. The stressed telescopic rods subject the crossbars via the connectors to a pull acting in the longitudinal direction of the crossbars. Each connector is again subjected to the reaction forces from the two crossbars that are pivotally connected to the connector. As the forces act at a distance from the axis of the telescopic rod, two moments are created that rotate the connector out of its original orientation, in which the axes of rotation are horizontal and in the same plane. The two axes of rotation of each crossbar are then typically oriented in different directions whereby the crossbar is subjected to a torsion moment which is transmitted to its seating in the connector as an adverse moment.

If the adverse moment on the connection between a crossbar and a connector becomes larger than the corresponding restraining moment, the connection is loosened at the risk of the stand then collapsing more or less.

Especially in case of high banners, it is therefore necessary to push the crossbars up step by step to thereby be able to limit the intensity of the adverse moments.

This can advantageously take place by alternately pushing the telescopic rods up one step at a time and temporarily locking their pipes while the adjacent telescopic rod is pushed up one step, after which the pipes of all the telescopic rods ultimately are locked together when the banner is extended in a desired height position.

As lock, an internal lock (not shown) can be used of the type that is activated by mutual rotation of the pipes of the telescopic rod or alternatively a lock in form of a peg (not shown) for being inserted in a number of transverse holes (not shown) in the upper pipe.

In the latter case, the distance between the transverse holes is chosen so that it corresponds to the height that the upper pipe of the telescopic rod can safely be lifted by each step.

When the upper pipe is lifted one step, the peg is pulled out and inserted in the hole emerging above the lower pipe.

Thereby, it is advantageously ensured that the upper pipes cannot at any time be lifted any further than what the structure can withstand.

Fig. 5 shows an upper annular connector 22 for mounting two crossbars at several different mutual angles. The outer face of this multiconnector is polygon-shaped with sides 23 perpendicular to the vertical central axis of the connector. In every side through holes 24 are made for directly or indirectly seating the crossbars pivotally via a clamp.

In this case, a pin 25 is placed in the top part 8 of the upper pipe 5' of the telescopic rod, said pin has a ball head 26 for insertion in a central, spherical seat 27 in the ring 28 which is connected to the upper connector by means of two arms 30. The ring 28 is provided with lower slots 39 for easing the insertion of the ball head 26 in the spherical seat 27.

The connector is secured axially in relation to the telescopic rod but can pivot in all directions about the ball head of the rod. Therefore, moments cannot be transmitted from the telescopic rod to the connector.

Fig. 6 shows a second upper, annular connector 31 for mounting two crossbars at several different, mutual angles. The outer face of this multiconnector is also polygon-shaped with sides

32 perpendicular to the vertical central axis of the connector. In every side through holes 33 are made for directly or indirectly pivotally seating the crossbars via a clamp.

A pin 34 having a ball head 35 is mounted on the top part 8 of the telescopic rod. The connector is constructed with a seat 36 in a ring 37 for receiving the ball head. A peg 38 serves for being passed through flushing apertures 39 in the ring 37 and the ball head 35 when this head is placed in the seat 36 of the ring. The axis of the apertures 39 coincides with the bisector of the angle that the sides 32 of the connector form in pairs with each other.

The peg 38 ensures that the connector is retained in position in relation to the axis of the telescopic rod and the orientation of the bisector. However, the connector can pivot about the bisector, whereby the adverse moments on either side of the bisector tend to become of the same intensity, and a single one of them will therefore not become disproportionately large.

The invention is shown in the drawing and described above on the assumption that the banner is triangular. Within the scope of the invention, the invention can however just as well be used for other figures, for example quadrangular, rectangular, or octagonal polygons or a number of inter-connected, two- dimensional banners forming an angle in pairs with each other.

Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the combinations of embodiments of connectors as shown and described or the way that they are mounted on top of the upper pipe of the telescopic rods in that other combinations are possible within the scope of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a single banner extending all the way round the three sides of the stand. According to the invention a separate banner can instead be mounted on both sides of the stand.

Furthermore, two banners can be mounted on every crossbar with text and/or illustrations oriented in different directions.

A telescopic rod need not consist of only two pipes either but can, within the scope of the invention, consist of three or more pipes, and the top pipe can furthermore be replaced by a solid rod.

Claims

1. A stand (1) for keeping at least one banner (2) extended and comprising, seen in the position of use, - at least two, seen in the position of use, vertical rods (5) , at least one upper - and lower crossbar (4',4'') for mounting an upper - and lower edge region, respectively, (7',7'') on the at least one banner (2), and an upper - and lower connector (3',3'', 22,31) placed on at least one of the vertical rods (5) for pivotally about at least one pair, also seen in the position of use, of horizontal axes of rotation (17) mounting a pair of upper - and lower crossbars respectively (4',4''), characterized in that the axes of rotation (17) of every pair of axes of rotation form an angle (α) with each other.

2. A stand (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the axes of rotation (17) of every pair of axes of rotation intersect the axis (13) of the respective vertical rod or an area near this rod.

3. A stand (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the axes of rotation (17) of every pair of axes of rotation are tangents to a circle having centre in the axis (13) of the respective vertical rod and a diameter of less than 5.

4. A stand (1) according to claim 1, 2, or 3 , characterized in that the bisector of the angle (α) that the axes of rotation (17) of a pair of axes of rotation form with each other intersects the axis (13) of the vertical rod or an area near this rod.

5. A stand (1) according to any of the claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the bisector (14) of the angle (α) that the axes of rotation (17) of a pair of axes of rotation form with each other is tangent to a circle having its centre in the axis (13) of the respective vertical rod and a diameter of less than 5 mm.

6. A stand (1) according to any of the claims 1 - 5, characterized in that a connector (22,31) has at least two pairs of axes of rotation.

7. A stand (1) according to any of the claims 1 - 6, characterized in that each crossbar (4',4' ') is directly or indirectly pivotally seated in the respective connector (3',3'',22,3I) with a pin (21) located on the crossbar in a seat (16) in the connector, or a tap in seats in both the crossbar and the connector, or a pin on the connector in a seat in the crossbar.

8. A stand (1) according to any of the claims 1 - 7, characterized in that each crossbar (4',4' ') is pivotally seated in the respective connector (3',3'',22,3I) via a clamp (6' , 6' ' ) .

9. A stand (1) according to any of the claims 1 - 8, characterized in that at least one of the upper connectors (3',22,3I) is constructed with a central aperture (12) for receiving the top part (8) of the respective vertical rod (5) .

10. A stand (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that a ball head (26) is placed on the top part (8) of at least one vertical rod (5), said ball head is received in a central aperture (12) in the associated upper connector (22,31) .

11. A stand (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the ball head (26) is pivotally mounted by means of a peg (38) extending through the connector (31) and the ball head with an axis which at least mainly coincides with the bisector (14) of the angle (α) that the axes of rotation (17) of the pairs of axes of rotation form with each other.

12. A stand (1) according to any of the claims 1 - 8, characterized in that at least one of the lower connectors (3' ') is constructed with a central aperture (12) for receiving a lower area of the respective vertical rod (5) .

13. A stand (1) according to any of the claims 1 - 12, characterized in that at least one of the upper or lower connectors, respectively, (22,31) is constructed with a ring or ring section (28,37) for pivotally mounting the crossbars (5) .

14. A stand (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the axis of the ring or the ring section (28,37) at least mainly coincides with the axis (13) of the associated vertical rod.

15. A stand (1) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that at least a section of the radial periphery of the ring or the ring section (22,31) is formed as a polygon having sides (23,32) of which at least some of them are perpendicular to an axis of rotation.

16. A stand (1) according to any of the claims 1 - 15, characterized in that at least a part of the components (3,4,5,6) of the stand (1) are arranged for detachable assembly with each other.

17. A stand (1) according to any of the claims 1 - 16, and wherein the vertical rods are telescopic rods, characterized in that a lock for detachably locking the parts is part of the in pairs interacting rod parts (5 ',5' ') associated to a telescopic rod (5) .

18. A method for erecting a stand (1) according to the claims 1 - 17 and mounting at least one banner (2) , and wherein the vertical rods are telescopic rods, characterized in that the method comprises assembly of the stand (1) with at least mainly telescoped telescopic rods (5) , mounting of the upper edge region (7') of the banner

(2) in the upper crossbars (4') / and - step-by-step pushing up of each telescopic rod (5) until its top part (8) reaches a desired level above the supporting surface.

19. A method (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that adjacent telescopic rods (5) are pushed up in turns one step at a time.

20. A method (1) according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the parts (5',5'') of each telescopic rod (5) are temporarily locked together while an adjacent telescopic rod is pushed up one step.

21. A method (1) according to claim 18, 19, or 20, characterized in that the parts (5',5' ') of each telescopic rod (5) are locked together when its top part (8) has reached the desired level.