Inverted V-shaped display framework

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6244011
  • Patent Number
    6,244,011
  • Date Filed
    Monday, September 20, 1999
    25 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, June 12, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Original Assignees
  • Examiners
    • Friedman; Carl D.
    • Syres; Christy M.
    Agents
    • Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garret & Dunner, LLP
Abstract
A display framework collapsing from an inverted V-shaped display framework to a compact configuration includes rods, hubs, and a fastening mechanism. Each rod pivotally joins to another rod by a scissors-type connection intermediate the rod ends. In addition, the end portion of each rod pivotally joins to a hub, where each hub may receive a plurality of rods. As configured, each rod enjoys pivotal movement in relation to the hub along a single axis of revolution. The rods rotate about this single axis of revolution from the collapsed compact configuration, where the rods are substantially parallel to one another, to the erect inverted V-shaped configuration, where the rods radiate outwardly from one another and the display framework includes a front face, a rear face, and a top. In this erect configuration, the display framework provides display surfaces on both the front and rear faces. To enhance the stability of the erect inverted V-shaped display framework, the fastening mechanism connects the front face to the rear face.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates to portable display frames. More particularly, the present invention concerns an erect inverted V-shaped display framework that is collapsible to a compact configuration.




2. Description of the Prior Art




Display frames have enjoyed a wide array of usage. Recently, consumer demands have increased for display frames that are adaptable for use at such events as trade shows or sporting contests. In response to this increased consumer demand, the display frame industry has seen a trend toward the development and use of more creative designs for the display frame or stand. This trend towards creativity, however, has also lead towards complex display frame structures. These complex designs have created a void in the industry for the enhanced development of display frames of basic appeal, such as a collapsible inverted V-shaped framed.




The inverted V-shaped frame offers many advantages beyond its simplicity. Conventional display frames typically offer an inflexible display surface constructed of either wood, plastic or cardboard material. As constructed, these display surfaces are generally rigid and do not facilitate a collapsible display structure. The inverted V-shaped frame of the present invention, however, employs fabric displays, which offer significant advantages in appearance, artistic flexibility, and handling.




In addition to offering an adaptable and aesthically pleasing display surface, the inverted V-shaped frame may act as a barrier. As a barrier, the inverted V-shaped frame may be used, for example, to enclose certain areas, such as playing surfaces in a sporting event, or may be used to restrain vehicle or pedestrian movement, such as the blocking of a road or the barricading of a construction area. Although these various barrier functions typically require a fixed structure, conventional display frame designs have provided portable display signs resembling a barrier. But these conventional display signs have failed to successfully combine the strengths of a portable display frame and a barrier. For example, the conventional designs have neither optimized the compactness of a collapsed configuration nor minimized the weight of the foldable display sign. Further, the conventional display signs typically possess insufficient rigidity to serve as a barrier once manipulated into the erect configuration, because they do not have an effective mechanism for anchoring them in place to withstand certain external forces.




This void in the industry has created a specific need for a portable display framework having a rigid erect inverted V-shaped configuration which is collapsible to a compact configuration, and where the structural elements of the display framework minimizes the weight of the display framework.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The advantages and purposes of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages and purpose of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.




To attain the advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention comprises a display framework adapted to support a display. The display framework is moveable between an erect inverted V-shaped configuration and a collapsed compact configuration. The display framework in the inverted V-shaped configuration has a top, a front face, and a rear face. In this configuration, the framework provides a display surface on both the front and rear face. To assist in its manipulation, the display framework includes rods, hubs, and a fastening mechanism. Each of the rods pivotally join to another rod by a scissors connection intermediate the ends of the rods. The hub receives an end portion of at least two rods along separate axes of the hub. The rods are pivotally joined to the hub and pivot in relation to the hub along a single axis of revolution. The rods rotate about the single axis of revolution from the collapsed configuration, where the rods are substantially parallel to one another, to the erect inverted V-shaped configuration. In the erect configuration, the fastening mechanism rigidly connects the front face of the framework to the rear face of the framework.




It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings,





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the display framework according to the present invention, showing a first variation of a fastening mechanism;





FIG. 1A

is an exploded view of the first variation of the fastening mechanism incorporated in the display framework of the present invention;





FIG. 2

is a top view of a first variation of the hub incorporated in the display framework of the present invention;





FIG. 2A

is a top view of the first variation of the hub incorporated in the display framework of the present invention;





FIG. 3

is a top view of a second variation of the hub incorporated in the display framework of the present invention;





FIG. 3A

is a top view of the second variation of the hub incorporated in the display framework of the present invention.





FIG. 4

is a top view of a third variation of the hub incorporated in the display framework of the present invention;





FIG. 5

is a top view of a fourth variation of the hub incorporated in the display framework of the present invention;





FIG. 6

is a top view of a fifth variation of the hub incorporated in the display framework: of the present invention;





FIG. 6A

is a top view of the fifth variation of the hub incorporated in the display framework of the present invention;





FIG. 7

is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the display framework according to the present invention, showing a second variation of the fastening mechanism;





FIG. 8

is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the display framework according to the present invention, showing a third variation of the fastening mechanism;





FIG. 9

is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the display framework according to the present invention, showing an illuminated display surface;





FIG. 10

is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the display framework according to the present invention, showing a plurality of display frameworks dispersed side-by-side one another;





FIG. 11

is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the display framework according to the present invention, showing a plurality of display frameworks dispersed side-by-side one another;





FIG. 12

is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the display framework according to the present invention, showing two display frameworks positioned on their sides and abutting at their tops; and





FIG. 13

is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the display framework according to the present invention, showing two display frameworks inter-connected at their respective bottom hubs to form a box-like structure.











DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)




Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.




In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a collapsible display framework adapted to support a display. In order to easily transport and assemble the framework and alleviate the problems facing conventional display systems, the present invention includes a collapsible framework whose application allows manipulation of the framework from an erect inverted V-shaped configuration to a collapsed compact configuration. The structure of the framework includes rods, hubs, and a fastening mechanism. To assist in the aforementioned manipulation of the collapsible display framework, each rod pivotally joins to another rod by a scissors connection intermediate the ends of the rod, and an end portion of each rod pivotally joins to a hub for rotation about a single axis of revolution in relation to the hub. In the collapsed compact configuration, the rods are substantially parallel to one another. In the erect inverted V-shaped configuration, the rods radiate outwardly from one another. In the erect inverted V-shaped configuration, the fastening mechanism connects a front face of the framework to a rear face of the framework to enhance the rigidity and stability of the erect inverted V-shaped display framework.




A preferred embodiment of display framework


30


of the present invention is generally depicted in

FIGS. 1-8

. As illustrated in

FIG. 1

, framework


30


, in the erect inverted V-shaped configuration, includes front face


32


, rear face


34


, top


36


, rods


38


, hubs


40


, and fastening mechanism


42


. As configured, framework


30


provides a display surface on both front face


32


and rear face


34


. Each rod


38


pivotally joins to another rod


38


by a scissors type connection


39


intermediate the ends of rod


38


. This scissors type connection permits the pivotally joined rods to pivot with respect to one another so that display framework


30


may easily collapse from the erect inverted V-shaped framework configuration. The particular placement of the scissors type connection


39


affects the shape of the display structure as well as the rigidity of the erect framework.




Each rod


38


also pivotally joins to a particular hub


40


at end portion


44


. Preferably, a spacer disk is positioned at the pivot connection of the rod


38


to hub


40


to assist in maintaining the alignments of the rods relative to hub


40


, and control the torsional movement of the rods as display framework


30


experiences tension. The pivotal connection of rod


38


to hub


40


provides for the rotation of rod


38


relative to hub


40


about a single axis of revolution. This pivotal connection also assists in the eased manipulation of display framework


30


between the collapsed compact configuration and the erect inverted V-shaped configuration. Preferably, each hub


40


receives at least two rods


38


, where hubs


40


proximate top


36


receives at least three rods


38


. Rods


38


rotate about their respective single axis of revolution from the collapsed compact configuration, where rods


38


are substantially parallel to one another to the erect inverted V-shaped configuration, where rods


38


radiate outwardly from one another, as depicted in FIG.


1


.




Each of rods


38


are preferably of equal length and surface area so that the display framework may be easily manipulated between the erect and compact configurations. The dimensions of the rods, however, do not limit the size of the display framework in the erect configuration. For example, certain rods may include a telescoping member residing within the interior of the rod and extending in relation to the rod in the erect inverted V-shaped configuration. The telescoping member, as disposed, possess a smaller surface area than the interior of the rod so that the telescoping member may easily move in relation to the rod. Before or after extension, the telescoping member is secured within the rod by a pin and hole configuration, where the rod and telescoping member includes a hole for the receipt of a pin. Either one of the rod or the telescoping member includes a plurality of holes disposed at varying lengths, such that the extension of the telescoping member may be controlled at different intervals. By varying the extension of the telescoping member in relation to the hub, the size of the erect display framework is easily increased.




In order for display framework


30


to assume a compact configuration from the erect inverted V-shaped configuration, hub


40


has a reduced size that not only possess sufficient rigidity but also enables ease of assembly. In addition, this reduced size minimizes the weight of display framework


30


. While several variations of hubs


40


,


60


,


70


,


80


,


90


are contemplated by the present invention, the purpose of the hub is satisfied in each design. As designed, the hub assists in the manipulation of the display framework between the erect inverted V-shaped configuration and the collapsed compact configuration.




The first embodiment of hub


40


is depicted in expanded detail in FIG.


2


. As illustrated, hub


40


includes base portion


45


and flanges


46


, whereby flanges


46


project from base portion


45


and pivotally support end portion


44


of rod


38


. Flanges


46


are arranged such that the rods connected to any one hub


40


are received along separate axes of hub


40


. Preferably, flanges


46


are arranged substantially perpendicular to one another so that hub


40


receives rods


38


along a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. Rods


38


pivotally connect to hub


40


by staple pin


48


. As illustrated, staple pin


48


inserts through hole


50


located at end portion


44


of rod


38


. Each end


54


, of staple pin


48


is received along surface


58


of flange


46


. End portion


44


, as joined by staple pin


48


, pivots along a single axis of revolution in relation to hub


40


.




To permit the manipulation of the display framework from the stable erect inverted V-shaped configuration to the collapsed compact configuration, at least two of hubs


41


positioned proximate top


36


include base portion


45


, as illustrated in FIG.


2


A. Base portion


45


presents openings


47


that allow rods


38


to enjoy full rotation about the single axis of revolution. Alternatively, base portion


45


may include a recess formed by the union of flanges


46


and base portion


45


. The recess would limit the articulation of its respective rod to approximately 180°. Because each rod enjoys different degrees of rotation, the display framework is easily collapsed from the erect configuration to the compact configuration.




As illustrated alternatively in

FIG. 3

, second hub


60


includes second base portion


62


and second flanges


64


, whereby flanges


64


again project from base portion


62


. In comparison to flanges


46


of hub


40


, flange


64


includes an end


65


that bends at a right angle in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Flanges


64


pivotally support end portion


44


of rod


38


, and are arranged such that the rods connected to any one hub


60


are received along separate axes of hub


60


. Preferably, flanges


64


are arranged substantially perpendicular to one another so that hub


60


receives rods


38


along a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.




End portion


44


of rod


38


pivotally joins to hub


60


by pin


66


. As illustrated in

FIG. 3

, pin


66


extends from end


65


to flange


64


, and inserts through hole


50


located at end portion


44


of rod


38


. End portion


44


, as joined by pin


66


, pivots along a single axis of revolution in relation to hub


40


.




Similar to the first hub embodiment, third hubs


61


positioned proximate top


36


include third base portion


67


, as illustrated in FIG.


3


A. Base portion


67


presents third openings


68


that allow rods


38


, pivotally joined to hub


41


, to enjoy fill rotation about the single axis of revolution. Again, because these rods enjoy such full rotation, the display framework easily collapses from the erect configuration to the compact configuration.




In yet another variation, as illustrated in

FIG. 4

, fourth hub


70


of display frame


30


includes fourth flanges


72


. Essentially identical to hub


40


, hub


70


does not include a base portion. Flanges


72


pivotally support end portion


44


of rod


38


and are arranged such that the rods connected to any one hub


70


are received along separate axes of hub


40


. Again, flanges


72


are preferably arranged substantially perpendicular to one another so that hub


70


receives rods


38


along a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.




End portion


44


of rod


38


pivotally connects to hub


70


by staple pin


48


. As illustrated in

FIG. 4

, staple pin


48


inserts through hole


50


located at end portion


44


of rod


38


. Each end


54


,


56


of staple pin


48


is received along surface


58


of flange


46


. End portion


44


, as joined by staple pin


48


, pivots along a single axis of revolution in relation to hub


70


. Because hub


70


does not include a base portion, rods


38


enjoy full rotation about the single axis of revolution. As previously described, this full rotation enables the display framework to easily collapse from the erect configuration to the compact configuration.




In still another variation, as illustrated in

FIG. 5

, fifth hub


80


includes fifth flanges


82


, where ends


83


of flange


82


are bent at right angles in either a clockwise or counter clockwise direction. Similar to flange


64


, flanges


82


pivotally support end portion


44


of rod


38


, and are arranged such that the rods connected to any one hub


80


are received along separate axes of hub


80


. Preferably, flanges


82


are arranged substantially perpendicular to one another so that hub


80


receives rods


38


along a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.




As previously described and as depicted in

FIG. 5

, end portion


44


of rods


38


pivotally joins to hub


80


by pin


66


, where pin


66


extends through hole


50


of end portion


44


. Because hub


80


does not include a base portion, rods


38


enjoy full rotation about a single axis of revolution in relation to hub


80


. This full rotation permits the erect display framework to easily collapse into the compact form.




In still a further variation, as illustrated in

FIG. 6

, sixth hub


90


includes only sixth base portion


92


. Base portion


92


pivotally supports end portion


44


of rod


38


by staple pin


94


. Staple pin


94


inserts through hole


50


located at end portion


44


of rod


38


. Each end


95


,


96


of staple pin


94


is received along surface


98


of base portion


92


. Each end portion


44


, as joined by staple pin


94


, pivots along a single axis of revolution in relation to hub


90


. Staple pins


94


are preferably arranged such that the rods connected to any one hub are received along a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.




As previously described in the description of hubs


41


,


61


, to permit the manipulation of the display framework, seventh hubs


91


include seventh base portion


93


, as illustrated in FIG.


6


A. Base portion


93


is essentially identical to base portion


92


with the only difference being seventh openings


99


. Openings


99


allow rods


38


to enjoy full rotation about the single axis of revolution. Because these rods enjoy full rotation, the display framework is easily manipulated between the erect and compact configurations.




Regardless of the particular hub configuration, the display framework


30


, in the erect inverted V-shaped configuration, as illustrated in

FIG. 1

, presents enhanced rigidity and stability as provided by fastening mechanism


100


. Fastening mechanism


100


rigidly connects and anchors front face


32


to rear face


34


of the erect display framework


30


. While several variations of fastening mechanism


100


,


110


,


120


are contemplated by the present invention, the purpose fulfilled by the fastening mechanism is satisfied in each design.




The first embodiment of fastening mechanism


100


is depicted generally in FIG.


1


and in expanded detail in FIG.


1


A. As illustrated, fastening mechanism


100


includes hook


102


. Hook


102


extends from the end of a thin flexible elongated member


104


, where the other end of elongated member


104


is affixed to interior side


105


of rod


38


proximate to rear face


34


. Affixed to the opposing interior face


106


of rod


38


proximate to front face


32


is loop


108


. As display framework


30


expands from its collapsed compact configuration to its erect inverted V-shaped position configuration, front face


32


opposes rear face


34


. To rigidly connect front face


32


and rear face


34


and maintain an enhanced stability and rigidity for the erect inverted V-shaped configuration, elongated member


104


extends so that hook


102


fastens to loop


108


. By design, the length of elongated member


104


is such that external pressure must be applied to front face


32


and rear face


34


to permit elongated member


104


to extend so that hook


102


may fasten to loop


108


. Once fastened, the tension existent in elongated member


104


provides the erect display framework


30


with increased rigidity and stability. At minimum, fastening mechanism


100


need only be provided for one pair of opposing rods along each side of display framework


30


. But if greater stability is desired, additional fastening mechanisms can be provided and dispersed along any number of opposing rods.




As illustrated alternatively in

FIG. 7

, second fastening mechanism


110


includes complementary snapping structures


117


,


118


attached to a first elongate member


113


and a second elongated member


114


, respectively. End


115


of first elongated member


113


is affixed to hub


37


located proximate to lower portion of rear face


34


of the erect display framework


30


. End


116


of second elongated member


114


similarly affixes to hub


39


proximate a lower portion of front face


32


of erect display framework


30


. The other end of the first and second elongated members respectively attaches to complementary snapping structures


117


and


118


. Structures


117


and


118


are designed to removably interlock once imposed onto one another. Connecting structure


117


to structure


118


provides a secure removable attachment between front face


32


and rear face


34


. The combined connected length of first and second elongated members


113


,


114


is such that pressure must be applied to front face


32


and rear face


34


to permit the complementary structures


117


,


118


to interlock. Once interlocked, the tension existent in the connected elongated members provides the erect display framework


30


with enhanced rigidity and stability.




In yet another variation, as illustrated in

FIG. 8

, third fastening mechanism


120


includes complementary hooks


122


,


124


attached to a first elongated member


126


and a second elongated member


128


respectively. End


130


of first elongated member


126


is affixed to hub


37


. Hub


37


is located proximate to a lower portion of rear face


34


of the erect display framework


30


. Similarly, end


132


of second elongated member


128


affixes to hub


39


. Hub


39


is located proximate to a lower portion of front face


32


of the erect display framework


30


. The other ends of the first and second elongated members respectively attach to complementary hooks


122


,


124


. Hooks


122


and


124


are designed to removably fasten once imposed and angled onto one another. Fastening hook


122


to hook


124


provides a secure removable attachment between front face


32


and rear face


34


. The combined connected length of first and second elongated members


126


,


128


is such that pressure must be applied to front face


32


and rear face


34


to permit complementary hooks


122


,


124


to fasten. Once fastened, the tension existent in the connected elongated members provides erect display framework


30


with rigidity and stability.




Display framework


30


, in its erect configuration, may receive a display surface, as illustrated in FIG.


9


. Display surface


130


is preferably constructed from a fabric material, which offers flexibility in appearance and handling. Display surface


130


affixes to display framework


30


by fastening the respective portions of display surface


130


to those hubs externally located in the erect configuration. Preferably, a hole is positioned along the exterior of base portion


45


of each hub


40


to provide an attachment base for an anchoring device that receives and retains display surface


130


to one or both of front face


32


and rear face


34


. As attached, display surface


130


may removably affix to display framework


30


, so that multiple displays may be positioned on front face


32


or rear face


34


at different times.




Regardless of whether display surface


130


is attached, display framework


30


is easily manipulated between its erect and compact configurations, because of the flexibility enjoyed by displace surface


130


. For example, to return display framework


30


to its compact form, the fastening mechanism is first released so that front face


32


and rear face


34


are no longer rigidly connected. Next, front face


32


and rear face


34


are moved in opposing directions until rods


38


begin to collapse. Rods


38


will continue to collapse until all the rods lay substantially parallel to one another. As configured, the hubs, external in the erect from, are substantially side-by-side one another at one end of the rods, and the hubs, internal in the erect form, are substantially side-by-side one another at the other end of the rods. As manipulated, display framework


30


assumes a collapsed compact configuration.




Because of the rigidity and ease of manipulation of display framework


30


, it may enjoys various uses. A number of these uses are illustrated in

FIGS. 9-13

as exemplary only and not inclusive. For example, as illustrated in

FIG. 9

, display surface


130


can be enhanced by providing an illumination device


132


in the interior of erect display framework


30


. As positioned, illumination device


132


enhances the appearance of display surface


130


.




Display surface


130


may also be enlarged, as illustrated in

FIGS. 10-13

. Display framework


30


, in the erect configuration may be connected to other display frameworks


30


. For example, as illustrated in

FIGS. 10-11

, multiple display frameworks


30


may be connected side-by-side. As positioned, the configuration of the display frameworks not only provide an increased display surface but may also act as a barricade of easily varied dimensions. Alternatively, as illustrated in

FIG. 12

, two erect display frameworks, positioned on their sides, may be connected at their respective tops


36


to increase the effective dimensions of the display framework. Further, multiple erect display frameworks may be positioned to engage one another to form various shapes. As illustrated in

FIG. 13

, for example, multiple display frameworks may be connected at their respective lower portion hubs to form a box, or similar, display structure. The corresponding lower portion hubs of front face


32


of two display frameworks may engage, while at the same time the corresponding lower portion hubs of rear face


34


of the same two display frameworks similarly engage. The dimensions of the box-like structure formed by the connected display frameworks may be extended by aligning multiple display frameworks of a similar box-like structure side-by-side.




It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the display of the present invention and in construction of this display framework without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.




Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.



Claims
  • 1. A display framework adapted to support a display, the display framework being convertable between an erect inverted V-shaped configuration and a collapsed compact configuration, the display framework in the inverted V-shaped configuration having an apex, a front face, and a rear face, the display framework comprising:rods, each rod being pivotally joined to another rod by a scissors connection intermediate the ends of said rod; hubs, each hub receiving an end portion of at least two rods along separate axes of each hub, said rods being pivotally joined to said hubs, where each of said rods pivot in relation to said hub along a single axis of rotation, said rods being rotatable about the single axis of revolution from the collapsed configuration, where said rods are substantially parallel to one another and where said hubs are positioned adjacent one another at each end portion of the collapsed framework, to the erect inverted V-shaped configuration, at least two of the hubs positioned proximate the top portion of the collapsed framework articulating downward toward the bottom portion of the framework when converting from the collapsed configuration to the erect configuration; and a fastening mechanism connecting the front face to the rear face of the framework, said fastening mechanism disposed proximate the lower portion of the framework in the erect inverted V-shaped configuration.
  • 2. The display framework recited in claim 1, wherein each of said hubs includes flanges, said flanges receiving the ends of said rods.
  • 3. The display framework recited in claim 2, wherein the end portion of each of said rods is pivotally joined to one of said flanges by a pin inserted through the end portion of said rod and received on said flange.
  • 4. The display framework recited in claim 2, wherein at least two of said flanges lay substantially perpendicular to one another, whereby each of said hubs receives rods along a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.
  • 5. The display framework recited in claim 4, wherein the ends of said substantially perpendicular flanges bend at right angles in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
  • 6. The display framework recited in claim 5, wherein the end portion of each of said rods is pivotally joined to said flange by a pin inserted through the end portion of said rod and received on two of said flanges.
  • 7. The display framework recited in claim 1, wherein each of said hubs includes a base portion, the end portion of each of said rods being pivotally joined to said base portion by a pin inserted through the end portion of said rods and received on said base portion.
  • 8. The display framework recited in claim 2, wherein said hub includes a base portion, said flanges projecting from said base portion.
  • 9. The display framework recited in claim 8, wherein said base portion of at least one hub limits rotation of each of said rods in relation to said hub.
  • 10. The display framework recited in claim 8, wherein said hubs proximate the top of the erect framework include external hubs lying in a first plane and internal hubs lying in a second plane vertically spaced apart and parallel to the first plane, said base plate of said internal hubs allowing full rotation of at least two of said rods in relation to said hub.
  • 11. The display framework recited in claim 10, wherein said hubs proximate a lower portion of the front face and the rear face of the framework receive less rods than said hubs proximate the top of the framework.
  • 12. The display framework recited in claim 1, wherein each of said rods pivotally joined to each hub radiate outwardly from one another in the erect inverted V-shaped configuration.
  • 13. The display framework recited in claim 1, wherein the framework in the erect configuration includes internal hubs and external hubs, the external hubs being positioned proximate a top portion of the collapsed framework and the internal hubs being positioned proximate a bottom portion of the collapsed framework.
  • 14. The display framework recited in claim 13, further comprising:a display support affixed to an exterior surface of said external hubs, said display support being flexible.
  • 15. The display framework recited in claim 14, wherein said display support is substantially overlaying the front face, the rear face, and the apex in the erect inverted V-shaped configuration and is substantially compact in the collapsed configuration.
  • 16. The display framework recited in claim 14, wherein a display removably affixes to the portions of said display support proximate said external hubs.
  • 17. The display framework recited in claim 1, wherein each rod is of substantially equal length and wherein said scissor connection is proximate the middle of each rod.
  • 18. The display framework recited in claim 17, wherein the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the front face and the rear face are substantially equivalent.
  • 19. The display framework recited in claim 18, wherein at least two of said rods have a telescoping member, said rods having a hollow interior whereby said hollow interior slidably receives a small rod in said rod to provide extension of the display framework in the vertical and horizontal direction.
Parent Case Info

This application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional 60/101,253, filed Sep. 21, 1998.

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Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/101253 Sep 1998 US