ZA200504553B

ZA200504553B - Collapsible diplay banners, igloos and tents

Info

Publication number: ZA200504553B
Application number: ZA200504553A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Ketih A Munro
Original assignee: Moongate 130 Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2004-02-27
Filing date: 2005-06-03
Publication date: 2006-06-28

Description

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FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a combination of a ground sheet and bag for panels of a structure, which is primarily used as an advertising unit, but which is also applicable to a tent, igloo or the like.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Collapsible banner arrangements for advertising have become extremely popular over the past few years. These arrangements generally comprise a pair of panels carrying advertising matter which are articulatcly joined along an edge of each to constitute a tent-like structure, and the ‘ opposite edges. which rest on the ground. are joined by means of stiffening elements to provide a rigid structure.

The panels arc generally of the type which have a spring steel peripheral frame which may be twisted into a figure of eight and then bent into a pair of coils (or into more than two coils if possible) so that they can be stored in a small space . When required for use, the coiled panel is released and the spring action causes it to spring open.

The prior art arrangements suffer from certain disadvantages. notably the difficulty of anchoring them on hard surfaces. In addition the edges become dirty and worn due to their contact with the ground.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

In its broadest aspect the present invention includes two or more panels joinable along their top edges to form a structure; and a sheet adapted to span those edges of the structure which will abut the ground or other surface.

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In one form of the invention the sheet acts as a ground sheet and in a preferred form of the invention the shect constitutes a bag adapted to accommodate the panels preferably in their folded-down condition. It will be understood that the bag can double as a ground shect.

The panels maybe of the type described above - namely, those with a frame of spring steel or the like held in a peripheral hem and which are foldable into coils. Alternatively. the frames may be in two or more scctions, cach section joined by a hinge element for folding purposes.

These pancls avoid the sometime dangerous spring action of the coilable panels.

The bag may bc reinforced to maintain it in a stiffened condition so that it can span the area bounded by the edges of the structure which rest on the ground. This configuration protects the edges against scuffing.

The bag may be formed of two panels joined by a strap/s in the open condition of the arrangement, the strap/s constituting carrying handles in the folded-down condition of the ' arrangement.

The bag may be attached to one edge of onc of the panels so that it docs not become lost. the attachment preferably comprising hooks and loops (Trademark VELCRO).

When connected to one of the panels. the bag protects that panel from damage when it is \ hung or leaned against a support: and when connected to opposed panels. the bag forms the stabilising base of the structure and protects the basc area of the panels. It may be weighted down with suitable ballast such as sand. bricks or the like, or may be pegged to ground which’ 1s soft enough.

It is clear that the bag has a dual function - firstly to protect the panels when they are folded and located in the bag: and secondly, constituting the stiffening element for maintaining the panels in their open condition,

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EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a plan view of a bag according to the invention in its closed condition;

Figure 2 is a similar view of the bag in its open condition;

Figure 3 1s a plan view of a structure using the bag; and

Figure 4 is a structure comprising four panels joined together by means of the open bag.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, a bag 10 has two opposed sides, each having a frame sewn ' into hems 12. The frames themselves are not visible and may be of a substantially rigid material. A pair of handles 14 is provided, one on each side. The handles may also have a frame of substantially rigid material.

The bag opens out into the form shown in Figure 2, the handles crossing over as shown. By virtue of the rigidity of the handles. the open-out condition comprises a sufficiently stiff element to maintain the lower edges of pancls in the desired spaced apart condition. This is shown in Figure 3.

In Figure 3. two pancls 16 are joined along their top edges in the zone indicated by reference to torm a tent-like structure. The bottom edges 22 are maintained in a spaced-apart condition by means of the opened bag 10 with its crossed-over handles 14.

The invention 1s versatile in that it may be used with any of a number of structures. one of which is illustrated in Figure 4. In this figure there are four panels 30 joined along adjacent edges 32 and the opened bag 10 connects opposing corners to constitute a stiffening clement. -

Claims

. ' ¢ ~~ [ed La . c- —- . " FE I) ' CLAIMS:

1. An advertising unit. tent, igloo or the like including panels joined along an edge of each to constitute a tent-like structure, the edges thereof which may rest on the ground being joined by stiffening clements to provide a rigid structure, characterised in that a sheet is provided to span those edges which will abut the ground or other surface.

2. An adverting unit according to claim 1 characterised in that the sheet acts as a ground sheet.

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3. An advertising unit according to claim 2 characterised in that the sheet also constitutes a bag adapted to accommodate the panels in their folded-down condition.

4. An advertising unit according to any of the above claims characterised in that the panels have a frame of spring steel or the like held in a peripheral hem.

5. An advertising unit according to claim 4 characterised in that the panels are foldable into coils.

6. An advertising unit according to claim 4 characterised in that the panels are in two or more sections, cach section joined by a hinge element tor folding purposes.

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An advertising unit according to claims 3 to 6 characterised in that the bag is formed of two panels joined by strap in the open condition, the strap/s constituting carrying handles in the folded-down condition.

Dated this 26 da Ma 2005 MORRISON FORSTER INC.

APPLICANTS’ PATENT ATTORNEYS