Portable display stand having foldable one-piece vertical support panel that is capable of tool-free assembly and disassembly
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
A47B-043/00
A47F-005/10
A47F-005/13
출원번호
US-0121400
(2014-08-29)
등록번호
US-9271584
(2016-03-01)
발명자
/ 주소
Weinstein, Eric
Finke, Evan
출원인 / 주소
SPECIALTY STORE SERVICES, INC.
대리인 / 주소
Oberhardt, William P.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
3인용 특허 :
17
초록▼
A portable display stand for removable attachment of fixtures for the display of merchandise is disclosed. The display stand features a hinged vertical support panel sub-assembly, including top and bottom panel segments, to reduce size and promote portability. Slideable pin locks within top or botto
A portable display stand for removable attachment of fixtures for the display of merchandise is disclosed. The display stand features a hinged vertical support panel sub-assembly, including top and bottom panel segments, to reduce size and promote portability. Slideable pin locks within top or bottom braces for the top and bottom panel segments slide out from a disengaged position and lock in the engaged position, stabilizing the top and bottom panel segments relative to each other, for assembly. The hinged connection between the braces for the top and bottom panel segments promotes fast alignment during assembly. Assembly of the vertical support panel sub-assembly and the first and second leg sub-assemblies occurs without tools. The display stand disassembles into three (maximum) portable sub-assemblies that may be transported in a carrying case, and may be reassembled without tools in less than a minute.
대표청구항▼
1. A portable display stand comprising: (1) A vertical support panel sub-assembly that includes a top panel segment and a bottom panel segment, wherein the top panel segment has a first side and a second side, and wherein the bottom panel segment has a first side and a second side, and wherein the v
1. A portable display stand comprising: (1) A vertical support panel sub-assembly that includes a top panel segment and a bottom panel segment, wherein the top panel segment has a first side and a second side, and wherein the bottom panel segment has a first side and a second side, and wherein the vertical support panel sub-assembly further includes: (A) A first top brace that is permanently attached to the first side of the top panel segment, and a first bottom brace that is permanently attached to the first side of the bottom panel segment, with a first gap located between the first top brace and the first bottom brace;(B) A second top brace that is permanently attached to the second side of the top panel segment, and a second bottom brace that is permanently attached to the second side of the bottom panel segment, with a second gap located between the second top brace and the second bottom brace;(C) A first hinge that is located adjacent to the first gap and forms a connection between the first top brace and the first bottom brace, and a second hinge that is located adjacent to the second gap and that forms a connection between the second top brace and the second bottom brace, wherein the first hinge and the second hinge permit the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly to rotate at the first hinge and second hinge between an open position and a closed position;(D) A hollow tubular portion in the first top brace proximate to the first gap, and a hollow tubular portion in the first bottom brace proximate to the first gap;(E) A hollow tubular portion in the second top brace proximate to the second gap, and a hollow tubular portion in the second bottom brace proximate to the second gap;(F) A first slideable pin lock that is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position which: (i) When the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the closed position, and the first slideable pin lock is in the disengaged position, then the first slideable pin lock is located substantially within either: (a) the hollow tubular portion of the first top brace proximate to the first gap, or (b) the hollow tubular portion of the first bottom brace proximate to the first gap, but the first slideable pin lock is not simultaneously located substantially within both the hollow tubular portion of the first top brace proximate to the first gap and substantially within the hollow tubular portion of the first bottom brace proximate to the first gap; and(ii) When the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the open position, the first slideable pin lock may be moved into the engaged position, wherein at least a portion of the first slideable pin lock simultaneously: (a) is located substantially within the hollow tubular portion of the first brace proximate to the first gap, and is also located substantially within the hollow tubular portion of the first bottom brace proximate to the first gap, and (b) forms a first bridge at the first gap between the first top brace proximate to the first gap and the first bottom brace proximate to the first gap;(G) A second slideable pin lock that is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position which: (i) When the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the closed position, and the second slideable pin lock is in the disengaged position, then the second slideable pin lock is located substantially within either: (a) the hollow tubular portion of the second top brace proximate to the second gap, or (b) the hollow tubular portion of the second bottom brace proximate to the second gap, but the second slideable pin lock is not simultaneously located substantially within both the hollow tubular portion of the second top brace proximate to the second gap and substantially within the hollow tubular portion of the second bottom brace proximate to the second gap; and(ii) When the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the open position, the second slideable pin lock may be moved into the engaged position, wherein at least a portion of the second slideable pin lock simultaneously: (a) is located substantially within the hollow tubular portion of the second top brace proximate to the second gap, and is also located substantially within the hollow tubular portion of the second bottom brace proximate to the second gap, and (b) forms a second bridge at the second gap between the second top brace proximate to the second gap and the second bottom brace proximate to the second gap;(H) A first locking mechanism for the first slideable pin lock which is movable between a locked position, wherein the first locking mechanism prevents the first slideable pin lock from moving between the engaged position and the disengaged position, and an unlocked position, wherein the first locking mechanism does not prevent the first slideable pin lock from moving between the engaged position and the disengaged position;(I) A second locking mechanism for the second slideable pin lock which is movable between a locked position, wherein the second locking mechanism prevents the second slideable pin lock from moving between the engaged position and the disengaged position, and an unlocked position, wherein the second locking mechanism does not prevent the second slideable pin lock from moving between the engaged position and the disengaged position;(J) When the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the closed position, the first locking mechanism of the first slideable pin lock may be moved to a locked position with the first slideable pin lock in the disengaged position, and when the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the open position, the first locking mechanism of the first slideable pin lock may be moved to a locked position with the first slideable pin lock in the engaged position;(K) When the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the closed position, the second locking mechanism of the second slideable pin lock may be moved to a locked position with the second slideable pin lock in the disengaged position, and when the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the open position, the second locking mechanism of the second slideable pin lock may be moved to a locked position with the second slideable pin lock in the engaged position;(L) A first bottom hollow tubular portion in the first bottom brace that is distal from the first gap, and a second bottom hollow tubular portion in the second bottom brace that is distal from the second gap;(M) One or more brace apertures located in the first bottom tubular portion of the first bottom brace, wherein one or more spring plungers are attached to the first bottom brace adjacent the brace apertures;(N) One or more brace apertures located in the second bottom tubular portion of the second bottom brace, wherein one or more spring plungers are attached to the second bottom brace adjacent the brace apertures;(O) The spring plungers of the first bottom brace further including a plunger biased by a spring in a direction so as to extend through the brace apertures of the first brace, and wherein each of the spring plungers of the first bottom brace has an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein: (i) In the disengaged position, the plunger is retracted against the bias of the spring, and the plunger does not extend substantially through the brace apertures of the first brace; and(ii) In the engaged position, the plunger is not retracted and is biased by the spring so that it may extend substantially through the brace apertures of the first brace; and(P) The spring plungers of the second bottom brace further including a plunger biased by a spring in a direction so as to extend through the brace apertures of the second brace, and wherein each of the spring plungers of the second bottom brace has an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein: (i) In the disengaged position, the plunger is retracted against the bias of the spring, and the plunger does not extend substantially through the brace apertures of the second brace; and(ii) In the engaged position, the plunger is not retracted and is biased by the spring so that it may extend substantially through the brace apertures of the second brace; and(2) A first leg sub-assembly detachable from the vertical support panel sub-assembly that includes a first horizontal leg support and a first vertical leg support permanently attached to the first horizontal leg support, wherein: (A) The first vertical leg support includes one or more leg apertures;(B) The outer cross-sectional dimensions of the first vertical leg support are smaller than the inner cross-sectional dimensions of the first bottom hollow tubular portion of the first bottom brace; and(C) The first vertical leg support is insertable into the first bottom hollow tubular portion of the first bottom brace, wherein: (i) One or more of the brace apertures of the first bottom brace may become located and aligned adjacent to the leg apertures of the first vertical leg support when the spring plungers of the first bottom brace are in the disengaged position;(ii) When the spring plungers of the first bottom brace are in the engaged positions, the springs of the spring plungers may bias the plungers of the spring plungers to extend through the brace apertures of the first bottom brace and through the adjacent and aligned leg apertures of the first vertical leg support, resulting in a removable attachment of the first leg sub-assembly to the first bottom brace; and(3) A second leg sub-assembly detachable from the vertical support panel sub-assembly and not attachable to the first leg sub-assembly that includes a second horizontal leg support and a second vertical leg support permanently attached to the second horizontal leg support, wherein: (A) The second vertical leg support includes one or more leg apertures;(B) The outer cross-sectional dimensions of the second vertical leg support are smaller than the inner cross-sectional dimensions of the second bottom hollow tubular portion of the second bottom brace; and(C) The second vertical leg support is insertable into the second bottom hollow tubular portion of the second bottom brace, wherein: (i) One or more of the brace apertures of the second bottom brace may become located and aligned adjacent to the leg apertures of the second vertical leg support when the spring plungers of the second bottom brace are in the disengaged position; and(ii) When the spring plungers of the second bottom brace are in the engaged positions, the springs of the spring plungers may bias the plungers of the spring plungers to extend through the brace apertures of the second bottom brace and through the adjacent and aligned leg apertures of the second vertical leg support, resulting in a removable attachment of the second leg sub-assembly to the first bottom brace. 2. The portable display stand of claim 1 wherein, when the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the closed position and the first slideable pin lock is in the disengaged position, then the first slideable pin lock is located substantially within the hollow tubular portion of the first top brace proximate to the first gap. 3. The portable display stand of claim 2 wherein, when the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the closed position and the second slideable pin lock is in the disengaged position, then the second slideable pin lock is located substantially within the hollow tubular portion of the second top brace proximate to the second gap. 4. The portable display stand of claim 1 wherein the portable display stand comprises no more than three sub-assemblies, namely, the vertical support panel sub-assembly, the first leg sub-assembly, and the second leg sub-assembly. 5. The portable display stand of claim 1 wherein the sub-assemblies may be assembled to each other by hand without using tools. 6. The portable display stand of claim 4 wherein the sub-assemblies may be assembled by hand without the necessity of using tools. 7. A portable display stand comprising: (1) A vertical support panel sub-assembly that includes a top panel segment and a bottom panel segment, wherein the top panel segment has a first side and a second side, and wherein the bottom panel segment has a first side and a second side, and wherein the vertical support panel sub-assembly further includes: (A) A first top brace that is permanently attached to the first side of the top panel segment, and a first bottom brace that is permanently attached to the first side of the bottom panel segment, with a first gap located between the first top brace and the first bottom brace;(B) A second top brace that is permanently attached to the second side of the top panel segment, and a second bottom brace that is permanently attached to the second side of the bottom panel segment, with a second gap located between the second top brace and the second bottom brace;(C) A first hinge that is located adjacent to the first gap and forms a connection between the first top brace and the first bottom brace, and a second hinge that is located adjacent to the second gap and that forms a connection between the second top brace and the second bottom brace, wherein the first hinge and the second hinge permit the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly to rotate at the first hinge and second hinge between an open position and a closed position;(D) hollow tubular portion in the first top brace proximate to the first gap, and a hollow tubular portion in the first bottom brace proximate to the first gap;(E) A hollow tubular portion in the second top brace proximate to the second gap, and a hollow tubular portion in the second bottom brace proximate to the second gap;(F) A first slideable pin lock that is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position which: (i) When the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the closed position, and the first slideable pin lock is in the disengaged position, then the first slideable pin lock is located substantially within either: (a) the hollow tubular portion of the first top brace proximate to the first gap, or (b) the hollow tubular portion of the first bottom brace proximate to the first gap, but the first slideable pin lock is not simultaneously located substantially within both the hollow tubular portion of the first top brace proximate to the first gap and the hollow tubular portion of the first bottom brace proximate to the first gap; and(ii) When the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the open position, the first slideable pin lock may be moved into the engaged position, wherein at least a portion of the first slideable pin lock simultaneously: (a) is located substantially within the hollow tubular portion of the first brace proximate to the first gap, and is also located substantially within the hollow tubular portion of the first bottom brace proximate to the first gap, and (b) forms a first bridge at the first gap between the first top brace proximate to the first gap and the first bottom brace proximate to the first gap; and(2) A first leg sub-assembly detachable from the vertical support panel sub-assembly that includes a first horizontal leg support and a first vertical leg support permanently attached to the first horizontal leg support, wherein the first vertical leg support of the first leg sub-assembly is removably attachable to the first bottom brace of the vertical support panel sub-assembly. 8. The portable display stand of claim 7 further comprising a second leg sub-assembly detachable from the vertical support panel sub-assembly and not attachable to the first leg sub-assembly that includes a second horizontal leg support and second vertical leg support attached to the second horizontal leg support, wherein the second vertical leg support of the second leg sub-assembly is removably attachable to the second bottom brace of the vertical support panel sub-assembly. 9. The portable display stand of claim 8 wherein the first vertical leg support is permanently attached to the first horizontal leg support, and the second vertical leg support is permanently attached to the second horizontal leg support. 10. The portable display stand of claim 8, further comprising a second slideable pin lock that is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position which: (1) When the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the closed position, and the second slideable pin lock is in the disengaged position, then the second slideable pin lock is located substantially within either: (A) the hollow tubular portion of the second top brace proximate to the second gap, or (B) the hollow tubular portion of the second bottom brace proximate to the second gap, but the second slideable pin lock is not simultaneously located substantially within both the hollow tubular portion of the second top brace proximate to the second gap and substantially within the hollow tubular portion of the second bottom brace proximate to the second gap; and(2) When the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the open position, the second slideable pin lock may be moved into the engaged position, wherein at least a portion of the second slideable pin lock simultaneously: (A) is located substantially within the hollow tubular portion of the second top brace proximate to the second gap, and is also located substantially within the hollow tubular portion of the second bottom brace proximate to the second gap, and (B) forms a second bridge at the second gap between the second top brace proximate to the second gap and the second bottom brace proximate to the second gap. 11. The portable display stand of claim 9 further comprising a second slideable pin lock that is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position which: (1) When the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the closed position, and the second slideable pin lock is in the disengaged position, then the second slideable pin lock is located substantially within either: (A) the hollow tubular portion of the second top brace proximate to the second gap, or (B) the hollow tubular portion of the second bottom brace proximate to the second gap, but the second slideable pin lock is not simultaneously located substantially within both the hollow tubular portion of the second top brace proximate to the second gap and substantially within the hollow tubular portion of the second bottom brace proximate to the second gap; and(2) When the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the open position, the second slideable pin lock may be moved into the engaged position, wherein at least a portion of the second slideable pin lock simultaneously: (A) is located substantially within the hollow tubular portion of the second top brace proximate to the second gap, and is also located substantially within the hollow tubular portion of the second bottom brace proximate to the second gap, and (B) forms a second bridge at the second gap between the second top brace proximate to the second gap and the second bottom brace proximate to the second gap. 12. The portable display stand of claim 8, further comprising: (1) A first locking mechanism for the first slideable pin lock which is movable between a locked position, wherein the first locking mechanism prevents the first slideable pin lock from moving between the engaged position and the disengaged position, and an unlocked position, wherein the first locking mechanism does not prevent the first slideable pin lock from moving between the engaged position and the disengaged position; and(2) When the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the closed position, the first locking mechanism of the first slideable pin lock may be moved to a locked position with the first slideable pin lock in the disengaged position, and when the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the open position, the first locking mechanism of the first slideable pin lock may be moved to a locked position with the first slideable pin lock in the engaged position. 13. The portable display stand of claim 9 further comprising: (1) A first locking mechanism for the first slideable pin lock which is movable between a locked position, wherein the first locking mechanism prevents the first slideable pin lock from moving between the engaged position and the disengaged position, and an unlocked position, wherein the first locking mechanism does not prevent the first slideable pin lock from moving between the engaged position and the disengaged position; and(2) When the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the closed position, the first locking mechanism of the first slideable pin lock may be moved to a locked position with the first slideable pin lock in the disengaged position, and when the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the open position, the first locking mechanism of the first slideable pin lock may be moved to a locked position with the first slideable pin lock in the engaged position. 14. The portable display stand of claim 10 further comprising: (1) A first locking mechanism for the first slideable pin lock which is movable between a locked position, wherein the first locking mechanism prevents the first slideable pin lock from moving between the engaged position and the disengaged position, and an unlocked position, wherein the first locking mechanism does not prevent the first slideable pin lock from moving between the engaged position and the disengaged position;(2) A second locking mechanism for the second slideable pin lock which is movable between a locked position, wherein the second locking mechanism prevents the second slideable pin lock from moving between the engaged position and the disengaged position, and an unlocked position, wherein the second locking mechanism does not prevent the second slideable pin lock from moving between the engaged position and the disengaged position;(3) When the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the closed portion, the first locking mechanism of the first slideable pin lock may be moved to a locked position with the first slideable pin lock in disengaged position, and when the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the open position, the first locking mechanism of the first slideable pin lock may be moved to a locked position with the first slideable pin lock in the engaged position; and(4) When the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the closed position, the second locking mechanism of the second slideable pin lock may be moved to a locked position with the second slideable pin lock in the disengaged position, and when the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the vertical support panel sub-assembly are in the open position, the second locking mechanism of the second slideable pin lock may be moved to a locked position with the second slideable pin lock in the engaged position. 15. The portable display stand of claim 9 wherein the first leg sub-assembly is removably attachable to the first bottom brace using one or more spring plungers, and wherein the second leg sub-assembly is removably attachable to the second bottom brace using one or more spring plungers. 16. The portable display stand of claim 11 wherein the first leg sub-assembly is removably attachable to the first bottom brace using one or more spring plungers, and wherein the second leg sub-assembly is removably attachable to the second bottom brace using one or more spring plungers. 17. The portable display stand of claim 13 wherein the first leg sub-assembly is removably attachable to the first bottom brace using one or more spring plungers, and wherein the second leg sub-assembly is removably attachable to the second bottom brace using one or more spring plungers. 18. The portable display stand of claim 14 wherein the first leg sub-assembly is removably attachable to the first bottom brace using one or more spring plungers, and wherein the second leg sub-assembly is removably attachable to the second bottom brace using one or more spring plungers. 19. The portable display stand of claim 18 wherein the portable display stand comprises no more than three sub-assemblies, namely, the vertical support panel sub-assembly, the first leg sub-assembly, and the second leg sub-assembly. 20. The portable display stand of claim 19 wherein the sub-assemblies may be assembled to each other by hand without using tools.
Johnson David B. (3967 Hayes NE. Columbia Heights MN 55421) Johnson Fredrik A. (4135 Brunswick Ave. S. St. Louis Park MN 55416) Zuehlsdorff Robert R. (19541 E. Front Blvd. ; NE. Wyoming MN 55092), Display system.
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