Patent Application
20120132603
The present invention is related generally to exhibits. More particularly, the invention relates to collapsible portable exhibits or displays, such as used for tradeshows.
Exhibits for tradeshows and other marketing venues utilize eye catching and informative graphics and/or displays that are intended to inform and present an image to customers and potential customers. Typically, such exhibits must be set up and then disassembled in a limited amount of time. Therefore, the exhibits must be capable of being quickly erected and taken down.
Modifications or alterations to the exhibits may also be desirable or necessary. Therefore, it is preferable that the exhibits are easily reconfigurable, facilitating variations to the exhibit and potentially allowing at least the structural framework to be reused in alternate exhibit configurations.
Additionally, utilizing light-weight components that quickly couple together makes the task of assembling and disassembling the exhibit quicker and easier. The use of aluminum extrusion is popular for many applications, including framework in tradeshow exhibits. Extruded aluminum can be easily manufactured in an endless variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations, and is also typically lightweight and cost-effective.
Various systems and methods exist for connecting framework pieces. In the case of tradeshow exhibits, which are temporary installations and must be set-up and disassembled many times, it is necessary for the framework connections to be releasable. The exhibit can then be partially or totally disassembled, allowing the exhibit to be transported to the next tradeshow or to storage.
Typically, exhibits or displays are custom-made to suit a particular application. The exhibits are often only able to be assembled in one configuration, and modifications to the layout or configuration of the exhibit are not possible. Additionally, many exhibits are constructed from very large components that are difficult and awkward to handle, ship, and store. It is thus desirable to have a framework and connection system that is inexpensive, lightweight, and capable of being quickly assembled and disassembled.
The exhibits, displays, and connection methods according to the various embodiments of the present invention overcome the deficiencies of conventional designs. In an example embodiment, an exhibit or display for tradeshows or the like is provided, having a plurality of support members and an axial connection assembly. The support members include opposing ends and a body portion, and further include an exterior channel and a central bore, the channel defining a flange portion and the bore being in communication with a retention feature. The axial connection assembly is configured to releasably couple an end of a first support member to an end of a second support member such that the two support members are axially aligned. The axial connection assembly includes a collar releasably coupled in the bore of each member, with each collar including at least one locator portion to interact with the retention feature, and a pin having a mid portion and two ends, the mid portion configured to be rotatably selectively restrained within the collar. A set screw in cooperation with each collar and extending into a circumferential groove(s) on the pin may be utilized to secure the pin within the collars and thus the support members. In the axial to axial connection a single pin will preferably extend in to two collars, one in each support member. The system supports connection of an end of a first support member to the body, intermediate the ends of another, a second, support member. The end of the first support member utilizes the collar with a pin securable in the collar and having or attachable thereto is a T-shaped member. The T-shaped member is insertable into the flanged channel on the body of the second support member. A faceplate formed of, for example a rigid polymer, may be attached to the end of the faceplate with axially extending protrusions to extend into voids in the end of the first support member and one or more axially extending protusions to engage with the channel of the second support member. A faceplate may also be used in the end to end connection described above.
A feature and advantage of certain embodiments of the invention include a robust connection system that utilizes a faceplate of a polymer material to prevent marring and provide a more robust connection between two tubular support members.
A feature and advantage of certain embodiments of the invention is that a single collar design may be utilized with alternative pin designs to either attach the end of a bored support member to the either another end of a support member or to the body of a support member at a flanged channel.
The present invention can be more completely understood and appreciated by referring to the following more detailed description of the presently preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which:
In the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as to not unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention. Unless otherwise noted, the terms exhibit and display are used interchangeably throughout this description.
Referring to
Referring to
Member 34 may have a square outer profile, circular outer profile, rectangular outer profile, hexagonal outer profile, or any other outer profile as is desired. An example of a circular profile is depicted in
Channels 40 comprise a profile 52, best depicted in
Connection assembly 30 includes a quarter-turn pin assembly 36, an end cap connector 38, and a collar 102 for releasably coupling an end of a first member 34 to the body portion of a second member 35. Axial connection assembly 32 includes a connection pin 100 and at least one collar 102 for releasably coupling an end of a first member 34 to an end of a second member 35.
Referring now to
Insert nut 60 is coupled to stud 76, and includes curved features 64 to facilitate rotation of insert nut 60 within a channel 40.
Insert 70 includes an aperture 73 to allow stud 76 to pass therethrough. Further, insert 70 comprises curved features 75 to facilitate the rotation of insert 70 within a channel 40. Insert 70 also includes tabs 72 to rotatably retain nut 60. Insert 70 includes a profile 74 that matches channel profile 52 of member 34.
In an example embodiment, an insert nut 60 is not provided in pin assembly 36, rather insert 70 is both rigid and easily engageable with a channel 40. In a further example embodiment, insert 70 comprises a polymer overmolded onto a rigid backbone such as metal.
Pin 80 includes an engagement portion 84, depicted in the Figures as a circumferential groove. In an example embodiment, engagement portion 84 is configured to be engaged by a set screw having a conical tip so as to couple pin 80 to a tubular member (described below). Pin 80 further includes a feature 86 to receive a tool for turning pin assembly 36. As depicted in the Figures, feature 86 comprises an internal hex profile to receive a hex key. However, feature 86 may also comprise a slot or cross to receive a standard or Phillips screwdriver, respectively. Feature 86 may also comprise an external hex profile to receive a wrench, or feature 86 may comprise other configurations as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.
Referring now to
Protrusions 90 and locator portion 94 jointly act to rotationally restrain and align the two tubular members when connected. Rotation of one tubular member with respect to the other while coupled is therefore prevented by faceplate 38. Conforming features 96, as depicted in
As depicted in the Figures, faceplate 38 is configured for orthogonally joining an end of a first square-profiled tubular member to the body of a second square-profiled tubular member.
Faceplate 38 therefore comprises a square shape and is substantially planar, with protrusions 90 on one side and locator portion 90 on the other side. However, if it desired to join an end of a first tubular member to the body of a circular-profiled tubular member, faceplate 38 may be non-planar to conform to the curved surface of the body of the circular-profiled tubular member. As discussed above, faceplate 38 may further include conforming features 96 to provide a solid connection between the body of a circular-profiled tubular member and the end of another tubular member.
Referring now to
Pin 100 includes a first end 110 having an engagement portion 112, a second end 114 having an engagement portion 116, and a middle portion 118. In an example embodiment depicted in the Figures, engagement portions 112 and 116 comprise a circumferential groove so as to be engaged by a set screw so as to couple pin 100 between two tubular members. Mid portion 118 comprises a square-shaped flange.
Collar 102 comprises a first half 120 and a second half 122, each half including a pin receiving portion 124 and a flange receiving portion 126. A pin 128 of one half of collar 102 interacts with a bore 130 of the other half of collar 102 to keep the two halves aligned when the two halves are assembled. One or more locator portions 132 are included on one half of collar 102, the locator portions adapted to engage retention features 56 in a tubular member when collar 102 is inserted into bore 44 of a tubular member. One or more springs 136 are provided to bias first half 120 and second half 122 away from one another and therefore in engagement with retention features 56, such that collar 102 is a spring-loaded conforming insert. Locator portions 132 may include apertures 134 to facilitate the use of one or more set screws. A set screw (or other suitable fastener) 138 may be used to mechanically separate each half of collar 102, the set screw 138 being advanced through aperture 134 of the rear locator portion of first half 120, until set screw 138 engages second half 122. A further set screw (or other suitable fastener) 140 is provided for engaging a pin 80 or a pin 100 upon the pin being inserted into collar 102. Flange receiving portion 126 is configured to engage mid portion 118 of pin 100. Various accessories 150 may be included in exhibit 28. Examples of accessories 150 may include a shelf, a counter, a table, a base plate as depicted in
Referring to
A pin 100 is provided, and a first end 110 of pin 100 is inserted into the collar in a first tubular member. A set screw 140 is advanced through collar 102 into engagement portion 112 on pin 100, thereby coupling first end 110 of pin 100 within the collar. Second tubular member is axially aligned with first tubular member, such that the first and second tubular members are end-to-end. First and second tubular members are brought together, thereby causing second end 114 of pin 100 to be inserted in the collar of second tubular member. A set screw is advanced into engagement portion 116 on pin 100, thereby coupling second end 114 of pin 100 in the collar, and thereby coupling first and second tubular members together end-to-end. In an example embodiment, the end-to-end connection between the two tubular members is a metal-on-metal interface.
When coupling two tubular members together end-to-end, the tubular members may be oriented such that the channels 40 of each tubular member are aligned. Alternatively, the tubular members may be oriented such that the channels 40 are rotationally offset at an angle with respect to one another, such as forty-five degrees as depicted in
A method of connecting an end of a first tubular member to the body of a second tubular member comprises the following. A first tubular member 34 and a second tubular member 35 are provided, each tubular member including an exterior channel 40 having a profile 52, and a central bore 44 in communication with a retention feature 56. In an example embodiment central bore 44 comprises a generally circular shape having flattened portions. A collar 102 is inserted into bore 44 of the second tubular member, wherein flattened portions of bore 44 provide clearance for locator portions 132 of collar 102. Each half 120 and 122 of collar 102 are compressed against each other to allow insertion of collar 102 into bore 44. Collar 102 is inserted until locator portions 132 engage retention features 56 in the tubular member. Springs 136 act to bias each half of collar 102 away from one another, thereby acting to retain collar 102 in bore 44 of tubular member. Additionally, a set screw 138 may be advanced through an aperture 134 to separate each half of collar 102, ensuring collar 102 remains in bore 44.
Referring to
As depicted in
Faceplate 38 may be included between first tubular member 34 and second tubular member 35. Protrusions 90 on faceplate 38 are configured to be securely located in voids 42 in first tubular member 34 and locator portion 94 is configured to securely surround insert 70, such that faceplate 38 provides additional stability in the junction between the tubular members.
In an example embodiment, the end-to-body connection between the two tubular members is a metal-polymer-metal-polymer-metal sandwich, constructed of reinforcing insert nut 60, insert 70, flange portion 54, faceplate 38, and an end of a tubular member, respectively. In an example embodiment, an end of a tubular member may be releasably coupled to the body portion of another tubular member such that the tubular members are orthogonal. In another example embodiment, an end of a tubular member may be releasably coupled to the body portion of another tubular member such that the tubular members are not orthogonal, but rather the tubular members form an acute or obtuse angle with respect to each other in one or more planes. In such an embodiment, faceplate 38 may be constructed to fill in any space between the tubular members created by the angle of attachment, such as by having modified conforming or transition features 96 to ensure a snug fit between the tubular members. In such an embodiment, some or all of pin assembly 36 may be modified to facilitate joining the tubular members at an angle.
In another example, the end of a tubular member may be releasably coupled to a body portion that does not presend a flat surface, for example a round tubular support member may be attached to with one side of the faceplate have a conforming configuration to follow the curved body shape.
The present invention also comprises a portable exhibit kit 160 not depicted in the Figures. Kit 160 comprises a container 162, and a collapsible multi-configurable exhibit 28. Container 162 is configured to house a disassembled exhibit for shipping or storage, and may be similar to the container disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,951,283 to Savoie, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In the present invention, container 162 is configured to house a plurality of tubular members 34, an axial connection assembly 32, a connection assembly 30, and one or more accessories 150. Exhibit 28 is adapted to be collapsible, and fit within container 162. Upon removal from container 162, exhibit 28 is adapted to be set-up in a variety of different configurations to meet the desired application. In an example embodiment of kit 160, the tubular members comprise a length of less than forty-eight inches. In a further example embodiment of kit 160, the tubular members comprise a length of less than or equal to forty-six inches. Often, tradeshow halls place restrictions on the height of erected therein, and a common current height restriction is ninety-two inches. By constructing tubular members less than or equal to forty-six inches, two tubular members can be vertically coupled and remain within the required height.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, one skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the illustrated embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/968,538, filed Jan. 2, 2008, issuing Nov. 29, 2011 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,065,847, which application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/878,476, filed Jan. 3, 2007, which applications are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60878476 | Jan 2007 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11968538 | Jan 2008 | US |
| Child | 13306657 | US |
