Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Barrier or major section mounted for in situ repositioning;... – Barrier of hingedly connected sections
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-04
2001-05-08
Kent, Christopher T. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Barrier or major section mounted for in situ repositioning;...
Barrier of hingedly connected sections
C052S036100, C052S238100, C052S243000, C052S239000, C160S135000, C160S351000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226931
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to display systems of the type commonly used at trade shows, conventions and in public areas to display goods or offer services for sale and which define a display area and separate it from the display areas of other vendors.
2. Description of Related Art
Trade shows and conventions have become an important avenue for introducing new products and services to potential customers. Vendors have a need for a reliable display system that can be quickly assembled and disassembled to establish a display area. The display system must be easily transportable between display locations, must be structurally sound, self supporting and adaptable to produce differently shaped display areas to accommodate varying requirements at different exhibition venues.
It is highly desirable for the display system to define the display area as a booth or enclosure with walls providing vertical display areas on the inside and outside wall surfaces. The walls must provide support for vertical displays having significant weight, but it is desirable to minimize the weight and size of the structure itself to simplify transportation. Simultaneously, it is desirable for the display area floor plan to be adjustable during assembly to refine the shape and size of the display area.
A further need is to have a display system that provides power for lighting, animated displays, computer systems and the like, and which allows communication or other control cables to be positioned out of the way of people moving within the display area.
Display systems that are presently available fail to meet many of these requirements. Current display systems that provide vertical display space use partition walls. Partition wall systems tend to be heavy and difficult to adjust during assembly because the entire partition wall must be moved or repositioned each time a change is desired. Another difficulty with partition wall systems is the lack of integrated electrical wiring. Consequently, electrical cables and any specialized communication or control cables must be strung after the display is set up, and the cables become a tripping hazard.
Another difficulty with partition walls systems is that some designs do not accommodate connections between the walls at all angles. In some designs only ninety degree angles or straight line connections are allowed between the walls. In those designs which do provide angular connection capability between the partitions, the partitions often cannot be connected in acute angles, i.e. less than ninety degrees.
A further problem with partition wall systems is that some are not designed to be free standing and need connection to adjacent walls in order to achieve rigidity. Those designs that do permit a single partition wall to free-stand must have support legs for each wall. The support legs interfere with storage of the walls during transport, and seldom provide the desired stability for the wall.
Yet another problem is that the height of the walls in prior art partition wall display systems is limited, principally due to weight considerations. It is also difficult to construct openings in the display area other than by omitting a complete partition wall.
Bearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a display system which is modular and constructable in portions, including a first lower portion allowing the outline of the display area to be positioned and adjusted, followed by a light-weight but structurally sound vertical portion to define the walls of the display area.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a display system which includes integrated power and includes room for additional control cables and/or communications cables.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a display system that provides for back illuminated displays.
A further object of the invention is to provide a display system that allows the attachment of various display accessories.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a display system that allows multiple walls to connect together at a single point in a star configuration and which allows walls to connect at any desired angle, including acute angles.
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a modular display system in which base units are angularly positionable relative to one another on a floor area to define a lower edge of a display space. Each base unit includes an elongated body defining a portion of the perimeter of the display area. The elongated bodies have opposed ends and detachable end members that are connectable to the opposed ends of the body at an upper position or at a lower position. An end member that is connected to the body at the lower position is connectable at a plurality of different angles to an end member on an adjacent base unit having its end member connected at the upper position.
The base units are positioned on the display floor to define the perimeter of the desired display area. The angle between adjacent base units is preferably continuously adjustable at the connection between the end members from 180°, i.e., straight, to acute angles on either side, most preferably as small as 60° to each side , allowing equilateral triangle perimeters to be constructed and providing a total range of adjustment of 240°.
After the perimeter of the display area is defined with the base units, a plurality of vertical supports are installed and connected to the base units for supporting display material. The lower ends of the vertical supports are connected to the base units and the upper ends of the vertical supports engage corresponding crossbars that define an upper edge around the perimeter of the display space.
In the preferred design, there are two different types of vertical supports. One type includes columns that engage the end members on the base units. The other type includes uprights that are supported by sleeves in the bodies of the base units. The columns provide significant vertical structural strength and define the vertical dimensions of the walls. They also provide a modern appearance to the display system. The uprights fit within sleeves in the body of the base unit and crossbars extend between the uprights. The uprights and crossbars are preferably used as a frame to support flexible sheet material containing advertisements, posters or the like. Alternatively, the uprights may be integrated with light units providing back lighted graphics with transparent or semi-transparent coverings for displays. In the preferred design, the crossbars extend between both the uprights and the columns providing great structural rigidity to the display system.
Additional features allow the vertical columns to support shelves or displays. Openings along an upper surface of the base unit allow additional display accessories to be attached thereto.
The base units are preferably hollow and are provided with removable covers allowing access to the interior where electrical outlets are positioned. Electrical wiring including plugs and receptacles extend between the opposed ends of base and into the end members allowing the base units to be plugged together end to end in chainlike fashion to provide electrical power around the entire outer perimeter of the display area. Openings in the base units also allow corresponding communication and/or control cables to be placed within the base units. The vertical columns preferably receive spiders at the top that connect to the crossbars and upper ends of the uprights. The spiders are adjustable to any desired angle corresponding to the angle between adjacent base units. The columns are designed to be extended vertically by extension columns.
In the most highly preferred design, the end members are cylindrical column collars that are attached at either the upper or
Canfield Industries, Inc.
DeLio & Peterson LLC
Kent Christopher T.
Thissell Jennifer I.
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