PORTABLE DISPLAY STAND HAVING MULTIPLE CONFIGURATIONS AND IS CAPABLE OF TOOL-FREE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

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 subassembly, 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. A central post with attachment rings allows for attachment of 2, 3, or 4 support panel subassemblies arranged radially around the central post.

Claims

1. A portable display stand comprising: (1) a hollow tubular central post supported by a central base, the central base having a central aperture sized for receiving a lower end portion of the central post, the central post having a plurality of support disks integral therewith and spaced thereon, wherein the plurality of support disks are substantially flat, circular rings integral with the central post and extending horizontally therefrom; (2) at least one support panel subassembly wherein each support panel subassembly includes a top panel segment and a bottom panel segment, wherein the top panel segment has a first side edge and a second side edge, and wherein the bottom panel segment has a first side edge and a second side edge, and wherein each support panel subassembly further includes: (A) a first top brace that is permanently attached to the first side edge of the top panel segment, and a first bottom brace that is permanently attached to the first side edge 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 edge of the top panel segment, and a second bottom brace that is permanently attached to the second side edge 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 support panel subassembly 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 located adjacent to the first gap 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 support panel subassembly are in the closed position, and the first slideable pin lock is in the disengaged position; and (ii) when the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the support panel sub assembly are in the open position, the first slideable pin lock may be moved into the engaged position; (G) a second slideable pin lock located adjacent to the second gap 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 support panel subassembly are in the closed position, and the second slideable pin lock is in the disengaged position; and (ii) when the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the support panel subassembly are in the open position, the second slideable pin lock may be moved into the engaged position; (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; (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; (J) when the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the support panel subassembly 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 support panel subassembly 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 support panel subassembly 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 support panel subassembly 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 hollow tubular portion in the second bottom brace that is distal from the second gap; (M) one or more brace apertures located in the hollow tubular portion of the second bottom brace, wherein one or more spring plungers are attached adjacent the brace apertures; (N) 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; (O) a plurality of attachment knuckles and attachment pins located on the first side edge, each attachment knuckle of the plurality of attachment knuckles having an axial continuous passage for receiving an attachment pin; (P) a leg subassembly attached to the second side edge, wherein the leg subassembly includes a horizontal leg support and a vertical leg support permanently attached to the horizontal leg support, wherein: (i) the vertical leg support includes one or more leg apertures; (ii) the outer cross-sectional dimensions of the vertical leg support are smaller than the inner cross-sectional dimensions of the bottom hollow tubular portion of the second bottom brace; and (iii) the vertical leg support is insertable into the bottom hollow tubular portion of the second bottom brace, and then: (a) one or more of the brace apertures of the second bottom brace may become located and aligned adjacent to the leg apertures of the vertical leg support when the spring plungers of the second bottom brace are in the disengaged position; and (b) 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 vertical leg support, resulting in a removable attachment of the leg subassembly to the second bottom brace; and (3) an attachment ring on each support disk, each attachment ring having a plurality of attachment apertures spaced around the circumference of the ring for receiving the attachment pins disposed through the axial continuous passages of the attachment knuckles.

2. The portable display stand of claim 1 wherein the first slideable pin lock in the disengaged position 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.

3. The portable display stand of claim 1 wherein the second slideable pin lock in the disengaged position 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.

4. The portable display stand of claim 1 wherein the first slideable pin lock in the engaged position 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.

5. The portable display stand of claim 1 wherein the second slideable pin lock in the engaged position 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.

6. The portable display stand of claim 1 wherein the first locking mechanism does not prevent the first slideable pin lock from moving between the engaged position and the disengaged position and the second locking mechanism does not prevent the second slideable pin lock from moving between the engaged position and the disengaged position.

7. The portable display stand of claim 1 having at least two support panel subassemblies engaged with the attachment apertures on the attachment rings.

8. The portable display stand of claim 1 wherein a plurality of outer attachment knuckles are located on the second side edge, each outer attachment knuckle having an axial continuous passage for receiving an attachment pin.

9. The portable display stand of claim 8 wherein attachment pins are disposed through the axial continuous passages of the attachment knuckles and outer attachment knuckles.

10. The portable display stand of claim 1 wherein the attachment apertures are positioned at 12 o'clock, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9 o'clock around the circumference of the attachment ring.

11. The portable display stand of claim 1 wherein the hollow tubular central post comprises at least two post segments, each post segment having a support disk integral therewith, and wherein a lower end portion of a bottom post segment of the central post is sized to be received in the central aperture and a lower end portion of a second post segment is sized to be received in an upper end portion of the bottom post segment.

12. The portable display stand of claim 1 wherein the central base has leg levelers.

13. The portable display stand of claim 1 wherein the leg subassembly comprises a horizontal leg support permanently attached to a hollow vertical leg support wherein an outer cross-sectional dimension of an upper end portion of the vertical leg support is smaller than an inner cross-sectional dimension of the second bottom brace such that the upper end portion of the vertical leg support is received within the second bottom brace.

14. A portable display stand comprising: (1) a hollow tubular central post supported by a central base, the central base having a central aperture sized for receiving a lower end portion of the central post, the central post having a plurality of support disks integral therewith and spaced thereon, wherein the plurality of support disks are substantially flat, circular rings integral with the central post and extending horizontally therefrom; (2) at least one support panel subassembly wherein each support panel subassembly includes a top panel segment and a bottom panel segment, wherein the top panel segment has a first side edge and a second side edge, and wherein the bottom panel segment has a first side edge and a second side edge, and wherein each support panel subassembly further includes: (A) a first top brace that is permanently attached to the first side edge of the top panel segment, and a first bottom brace that is permanently attached to the first side edge 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 edge of the top panel segment, and a second bottom brace that is permanently attached to the second side edge 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 support panel subassembly to rotate at the first hinge and second hinge between an open position and a closed position; (D) a first slideable pin lock slidably disposed on the first top brace that is movable between an engaged position, wherein the first slideable pin lock engages a tubular portion of the first bottom brace, and a disengaged position which: (i) when the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the support panel subassembly are in the closed position, and the first slideable pin lock is in the disengaged position; and (ii) when the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the support panel sub assembly are in the open position, the first slideable pin lock may be moved into the engaged position; (E) a second slideable pin lock slidably disposed on the second top brace that is movable between an engaged position, wherein the second slideable pin lock engages a tubular portion of the second bottom brace, and a disengaged position which: (i) when the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the support panel subassembly are in the closed position, and the second slideable pin lock is in the disengaged position; and (ii) when the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment of the support panel subassembly are in the open position, the second slideable pin lock may be moved into the engaged position; (F) a plurality of attachment knuckles and attachment pins located on the first side edge, each attachment knuckle of the plurality of attachment knuckles having an axial continuous passage for receiving an attachment pin; (G) a leg subassembly removably attached to the second side edge, wherein the leg subassembly includes a horizontal leg support and a vertical leg support attached to the horizontal leg support; and (3) an attachment ring on each support disk, each attachment ring having a plurality of attachment apertures spaced around the circumference of the ring for receiving the attachment pins disposed through the axial continuous passages of the attachment knuckles.

15. The portable display stand of claim 14 wherein the hollow tubular central post comprises three post segments, each segment having the support disk integral therewith, wherein each support disk has the attachment ring thereon, and each support panel subassembly has three attachment knuckles having the axial continuous passages and three attachment pins spaced on the first side edge for engagement with an attachment aperture on an attachment ring.

16. The portable display stand of claim 14 having at least two support panel subassemblies engaged with attachment apertures on the attachment rings.

17. The portable display stand of claim 14 wherein the second side edge of the top panel segment and the bottom panel segment each have at least one outer attachment knuckle having an axial continuous passage for engagement with an attachment knuckle on the first side edge of a separate support panel subassembly.

18. The portable display stand of claim 14 wherein the attachment apertures are positioned at 12 o'clock, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9 o'clock around the circumference of the attachment ring.

19. The portable display stand of claim 14 wherein the central base has leg levelers.

20. The portable display stand of claim 14 wherein the leg subassembly comprises a horizontal leg support permanently attached to a hollow vertical leg support wherein the outer cross-sectional dimensions of the upper end portion of the vertical leg support are smaller than the inner cross-sectional dimensions of the second bottom brace such that the upper end portion of the vertical leg support is received within the second bottom brace.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a portable display stand with a single support panel subassembly;

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the display stand with two panels;

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the display stand with three panels;

[0039] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the display stand with four panels;

[0040] FIG. 5 shows a single support panel subassembly with close-up views of the leg subassembly, the attachment knuckle, the attachment pin, and the first braces;

[0041] FIG. 6 is a close-up view of the attachment ring;

[0042] FIG. 7 is a close-up view of the attachment ring adjacent a support disk on a central post segment;

[0043] FIG. 8 is a close-up view of the attachment knuckle and attachment pin on the first side edge of the support panel subassembly, and the attachment ring on the central post segment;

[0044] FIG. 9 is a close-up view of the leg subassembly;

[0045] FIG. 10 is a close-up view of the bottom of the central base;

[0046] FIG. 11 shows a vertical central post having three post segments; and

[0047] FIG. 12 shows a close-up of the lower end portion of the middle post segment and the upper end portion of the bottom post segment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] As shown in FIG. 1, portable display stand 10 comprises vertical central post 12, support panel subassembly 20 having first side edge 22, second side edge 26, and leg subassembly 40 (see FIG. 5). Central post 12 is supported by central base 14. First side edge 22 includes first top brace 23 and first bottom brace 24. The first top brace 23 is attached by a first hinge to the first bottom brace 24. Attachment knuckles 34 having axial continuous passages 33 are attached to first side edge 22. Attachment pins 35 are removably attached to first side edge 22 above attachment knuckles 34. Attachment rings 30 with attachment apertures 32 for receiving attachment pins 35 disposed in the axial continuous passage 33 of attachment knuckles 34 are located on central post 12. Second side edge 26 includes second top brace 27 and second bottom brace 28. In an embodiment, outer attachment knuckles 7 having axial continuous passages are attached to second side edge 26. The second top brace 27 is attached by a second hinge to the second bottom brace 28. The first and second hinges permit folding of the first top brace 23 and first bottom brace 24, on the one hand, and the second top brace 27 and second bottom brace 28, on the other hand, as well as the attached top panel segment 11 and bottom panel segment 13 of the support panel subassembly 20, along the split in the horizontal direction of the support panel subassembly 20 located at or near the vertical midpoint. A first slideable pin 37 lock for the first top brace 23 and first bottom brace 24, and a second slideable pin lock 31 for the second top brace 27 and second bottom brace 28, when slid into engagement, fit snugly within the hollow tubular portions proximate to the first and second gaps of both the top and bottom braces 23, 24 of the first brace, and both the top and bottom braces 27, 28 of the second brace, respectively, so as to stabilize the top panel segment 11 of the support panel subassembly 20 relative to the bottom panel segment 13 of the support panel subassembly 20. Second side edge 26 is supported by leg subassembly 40. Optionally, central base 14 has leg levelers 18 for stabilizing display stand 10. Attachment pins 35 are received within axial continuous passages 33 of attachment knuckles 34 and attachment apertures 32 on attachment rings 30 when display stand 10 is assembled.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of display stand 10 having two support panel subassemblies 20 engaged with central post 12 via attachment knuckles 34 and attachment pins received 35 within attachment apertures 32 on attachment rings 30. In an embodiment, additional support panel subassemblies are connected to outer attachment knuckles 7 of support panel subassemblies 20 engaged with central post 12. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, display stand 10 can also be configured using three or four support panel subassemblies 20 engaged with central post 12 via attachment pins 35 received within axial continuous passages 33 of attachment knuckles 34 and attachment apertures 32.

[0050] FIG. 5 shows a single support panel subassembly 20 with attachment knuckles 34, attachment pins 35, first side edge 22, second side edge 26, and leg subassembly 40. Second side edge 26 includes outer attachment knuckles 7 for optional attachment to another support panel subassembly. Leg subassembly 40 includes horizontal leg support 42 and vertical leg support 44. Embodiments having two, three, or four support panel subassemblies engaged with central post 12 are preferred.

[0051] FIG. 6 shows attachment ring 30 with attachment apertures 32 spaced around the circumference of attachment ring 30. As viewed from the top, in a preferred embodiment, attachment apertures 32 are positioned at 12 o'clock, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9 o'clock. Post aperture 36 in the central portion of attachment ring 30 is sized to receive central post 12. Preferably, embodiments having two support panel subassemblies will use attachment apertures 32 at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions or at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions of attachment ring 30. Embodiments having three support panel subassemblies will preferably use attachment apertures 32 at the 12, 4, and 8 o'clock positions of attachment ring 30, and embodiments having four support panel subassemblies preferably use attachment apertures 32 at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions of attachment ring 30.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 7, support disk 16 is integral with central post 12. Central post 12 is received in post aperture 36 in attachment ring 30. When in the assembled position, attachment ring 30 rests on top of support disk 16. Attachment apertures 32 are positioned at 12 o'clock, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9 o'clock around the circumference of attachment ring 30.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 8, attachment knuckles 34 and attachment pins 35 are located on first side edge 22 of support panel subassembly 20 and attachment pins 35 are sized to be received within axial continuous passages 33 of attachment knuckles 34 and attachment apertures 32 on attachment ring 30.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 9, horizontal leg support 42 is permanently attached to vertical leg support 44. Vertical leg support 44 removably attaches to second bottom brace 28 of support panel subassembly 20 using leg attachments 46 such as, for example, plungers, buttons, or the like. Preferably, the inner cross-sectional dimensions of the lower end portion of second bottom brace 28 are larger than the outer cross-sectional dimensions of vertical leg support 44 such that the upper end portion of vertical leg support 44 fits within the lower end portion of second bottom brace 28.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 10, central base 14 has base aperture 15 for receiving central post 12 and leveling feet 18. Optionally, the engagement between central post 12 and base aperture 15 is a threaded engagement.

[0056] FIG. 11 shows central post 12 comprising three post segments, bottom post segment 50, middle post segment 51, and upper post segment 52. In an embodiment, bottom post segment 50 has a threaded lower end portion for engagement with central base 14. Integral with each post segment is a support disk 16. Post segments are shaped such that the lower end portion of one segment fits within the upper end portion of the adjacent segment.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 12, post segments of central post 12 are sized such that the outer diameter of the lower end portion of segment fits snugly within the upper end portion of the adjacent segment. For example, as shown, the outer diameter of the lower end portion of middle segment 51 of central post 12 is smaller than the inner diameter of the upper end portion of bottom post segment 50 of central post 12 such that the lower end portion of middle post segment 51 fits snugly within the upper end portion of bottom post segment 50.

[0058] The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing materials or methods (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The terms “consisting of” and “consists of” are to be construed as closed terms, which limit any element or part that are listed in a given claim or portion of the specification. In addition, and because of its open nature, the term “comprising” broadly encompasses any element or part that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” specified components or steps, in addition to any element or part that include other any elements or parts or steps beyond those listed in the given claim or portion of the specification. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All numerical values obtained by measurement are not to be construed as absolutely precise numbers, and should be considered to encompass values within the known limits of the measurement techniques commonly used in the art, regardless of whether or not the term “about” is explicitly stated. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate certain aspects of elements or parts described herein and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the claims unless otherwise stated. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the claims.

[0059] Preferred embodiments are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the claimed invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the claimed invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, the claimed invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the claimed invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.