Patent Application
20170245634
The present invention relates to display units for use in a variety of environments, such as construction sites, both indoor and outdoor, and in services areas such as penthouses and mechanical rooms within large buildings.
In both indoor and outdoor working environments, display units are essential as they may serve as a gathering area for workers. More particularly, once a display unit has been transported to a given site, the display unit allows workers to refer to drawings, specifications, and other important documents, in one centralized location.
In addition, the health and safety regulations and regulatory provisions in various countries require certain documents to be posted and viewable at all times. Examples of such documents include safety policies or plans, building permits, insurance certificates, worker manifests, and worker credentials. Furthermore, there is typically a requirement for accessible safety equipment in these same locations.
However, the prior art consists of display units whose size and shape make storage and transportation difficult. None of the prior art units provide a display unit that can be readily assembled and disassembled and transported. In fact, similar units require forklifts or other heavy machinery to transport to a site.
Therefore, there is a need for a display unit that can be easily transported to a given environment to store and display required documents and safety equipment. There is also a need for a display unit that is modular, i.e., the display unit can accommodate different items and display different varieties of items in a multitude of configurations.
The present invention provides a display unit that can be assembled for indoor and outdoor environments, such as at construction sites and in service areas within buildings. In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention provides a display unit as a kit to be transported to a site for assembly. In another embodiment, an assembled display unit can be transported to a site. The display unit may be a centralized location at a site for required or useful information and items to be posted, stored, modified, and made available to any user with access to the display unit.
In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a kit for storing a display unit comprising: a container having a first opening; a tabletop for operatively attaching to the container at the first opening for use as a table; and a support frame for operatively mounting displays means thereon; wherein the support frame is constructed and arranged to operatively couple to the container such that the support frame can support the display means mounted thereon; and wherein the tabletop and the support frame are constructed and arranged for storage.
In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a display unit comprising: a container having a first opening; a tabletop for operatively attaching to the container at the first opening for use as a table; and a support frame for operatively mounting display means thereon; wherein the support frame is constructed and arranged to operatively couple to the container such that the support frame can support the display means mounted thereon; and wherein the tabletop and the support frame are constructed and arranged for storage.
The embodiments of the present invention will now be described by reference to the following figures, in which identical reference numerals in different figures indicate identical elements and in which:
The Figures are not to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular elements while related elements may have been eliminated to prevent obscuring novel aspects. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
The terms “coupled” and “connected”, along with their derivatives, may be used herein. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, “connected” may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. “Coupled” may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in either direct or indirect (with other intervening elements between them) physical or electrical contact with each other, or that the two or more elements co-operate or interact with each other (e.g. as in a cause and effect relationship).
The present invention advantageously provides a compact, portable, and easily transportable kit that assembles into a multi-purpose display unit.
For clarity, elements of the kit may be stored and removed through the first opening 130. However, as described later, other openings are envisaged. It is also noted that the support frame 120 is preferably collapsible for easier storage inside the container 105.
To clarify, the support frame 120 and the mounting frame 125 may be two separate frames. Either or both frames may be collapsible. As well, both frames may be a unitary frame that may also be disassembled and stored in the container 105.
An important feature of the current invention is the ability to store all of the elements of the kit 100 inside the container 105. This allows for ease of transportation and storage of the kit 100.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the kit comprises a support plate 505 (shown in
In another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of wheels (shown in
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the kit 100 includes at least one tabletop support beam (shown in
In another embodiment of the present invention, the display means may include any one of the following: a protective cover, a display monitor, a display monitor mount, at least one mounting board, a signage banner, at least one file organizer, an eyewash station, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, at least one power outlet, at least one organizational bracket, a defibrillator and a combination thereof (shown in
In another embodiment of the present invention, the kit 100 is sized to fit through a standard or non-standard doorway or entryway. Dimensions are fully customizable depending on the site requirements.
It should be noted that the container 105 of the display unit 400 may be constructed from a durable, lightweight material, suitable for indoor and outdoor construction sites, such as a fiberglass, strong polymer plastics, and metal. The display unit 400 may also be made from rust resistant materials and wood or other organic materials. The use of more rugged materials ensures that the kit 100 and the display unit 400 can withstand rough conditions, typically found on construction sites and service areas. The choice of materials also ensures that the kit 100 and the display unit 400 can withstand frequent transportation without suffering material deterioration. Furthermore, it should be understood that the container 105 may be made of suitable material for weight bearing items that are heavy or large.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 400 is sized to fit through a standard or non-standard doorway or entryway. Dimensions are fully customizable depending on the site requirements.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of wheels 530 may be operatively coupled to the container 105 for moving the container 105. Each wheel 530 may be coupled to a reinforcement plate 537 that may be connected to the bottom of the container 105 itself or to the support plate 505. A support plate reinforcement means 535 may be fastened under the support plate 505 providing for further support to the support plate 505 and the container 105.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 400 includes tabletop support beams 567 for operatively coupling to the tabletop 110 for structural support.
The container 110 may also include organizational brackets 205. Moreover, the container 105 may include side openings 510 on the sides on the container 105. In one embodiment of the present invention, the side openings 510 are located at the front of the container 105. A door 515 may be attached to the container at the side opening 510 to enable access to the container 105 through the side opening 510. A shelf 520, supported by a shelf support 525, may also be operatively coupled to the container. The shelf 520 provides for additional table surface area.
The display means 115 of the display unit 400 may include various pieces of equipment, depending on a user's requirements. Such equipment may be attached to the display unit for easy access. For instance, when the display unit is used on construction sites, an eyewash station 540, a first aid kit 545, a defibrillator, and a fire extinguisher 550 may be attached to the container 105. Electrical power outlets 555 may also be attached to the inside and/or outside of the container 105. In one embodiment of the present invention, the display unit may include a power supply such as a battery or a generator. In another embodiment, the display unit may be connected to an external power supply.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the tabletop 110 may be formed of panels 560. Each panel, panel 560A and 560B, may include a locking means 565 to securely fasten panels 560A and 560B to each other. The locking means 565 of panels 560 may include a male and female locking mechanism. The surface area created by the locked panels 560 may correspond to the surface area of the first opening 130.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the surface area created by the locked panels 560 may exceed the surface area of the first opening 130 providing for further working area. Moreover, each panel 560 may rest on support beams 567 for better structural support of the panels 560.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an e-size paper sheet 570 may be placed on top of the tabletop 110. The present invention contemplates a variety of paper sheet sizes and configurations.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, each wheel 530 may be a lockable wheel, allowing users to prevent the display unit 400 from rolling.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the door 515 may possess a locking mechanism, allowing users to lock the door 515 if necessary.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the container 105 may be made of reinforced plastic, or any material of similar or greater strength known to the skilled artisan. The support plate 505 may also be made of metal, such as steel, stainless steel, or lightweight aluminum, or any material of similar or of greater strength known to the skilled artisan.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, a ring (not pictured), hook, or the like, may be attached to the container 105 or the support plate 505, allowing the display unit 400 to be secured in place with a rope, a chain, or any other type of cord known to the skilled artisan.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a GPS tracking device may be inserted within the unit. In some embodiments, this GPS device may be utilized to protect the display unit from theft.
A mounting board 575, or multiple mounting boards 575A and 575B, may be mounted on either side of the mounting frame 125. Such boards may provide a greater surface area on which to display documents, equipment, and tools.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a display monitor 580 may be mounted onto the mounting board 575 using a display monitor mount 582. The display monitor may be include two-dimensional displays, such as but not limited to, cathode ray tube display (CRT), light-emitting diode display (LED), electroluminescent display (ELD), electronic paper, E-Ink, plasma display panel (PDP), liquid crystal display (LCD), high-Performance addressing display (HPA), thin-film transistor display (TFT), organic light-emitting diode display (OLED), surface-conduction electron-emitter display (SED), laser television, carbon nanotubes, quantum dot display, and interferometric modulator display (IMOD). Three-dimensional displays are also contemplated, such as but not limited to, swept-volume display, varifocal mirror display, emissive volume display, laser display, holographic display, and light field displays. In one embodiment of the present invention, the display monitor 580 may be of a sizeable dimension to allow a user to view entire documents or other media on a large screen without requiring the removal of gloves or other personal protective equipment. Touch-screen displays are also contemplated to enable users to enlarge or shrink (i.e., zoom in and out) documents being displayed so as to provide multiple viewing resolutions and sizes.
File organizers 585 may be attached to the mounting board 575 allowing for storage of documents. The equipment or tools being mounted onto the mounting board 575 may also be protected by a protective cover 590, which may be comprised of two attachable sides 590A and 590B, for sheltering the display means 115 from weather damage when the display unit 400 is used outside. A signage banner 595 may also be attached to the mounting frame 575.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the mounting board 575 may be a corkboard, a pegboard, a slatwall, a plywood board, or any other type of board known to the skilled artisan.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, corkboards, pegboards, slatwalls, plywood boards, and any other type of board known to the skilled artisan, may be mounted on the mounting board 575.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, cup holders and radio devices, such as walkie-talkies may be mounted on or attached to the display unit 400.
In another embodiment, a weather-proof or resistant canvas cover for use during transportation of the display unit is also contemplated.
As shown in
The tabletop 110, as shown in
As further shown in
In addition to power bars 555 or electrical outlets, a variety of other outlets may be attached to the display unit 400 or the container 105 in particular, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) ports, Video Graphics Array (VGA) ports, or other digital, data, or electrical outlets that may be required.
Additionally, at least one handle 705 may be provided on either side of the support frame 120. The handles 705 allow a user to comfortably grip the display unit 400 when assembled or partially assembled.
As discussed above, an embodiment of the present invention includes a tabletop 110 that may comprise two panels 560A and 560B. Each panel 560A and 560B includes a panel locking means 565. As shown in
Also, as shown in
It should also be noted that the tabletop 110 may include grooves on its top surface. These grooves may temporarily store tools frequently used on drafting tables, such as pencils, markers, scales, etc.
For further clarity, the container may be any structure that is capable of retaining various elements within. In other words, the sides of the container may be open or partially open or may form a complete side surface as would be readily understood by the skilled artisan. As shown in
The embodiment of the present invention of
A person understanding this invention may now conceive of alternative structures and embodiments or variations of the above, all of which are intended to fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims that follow.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CA2015/050858 | 9/4/2015 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62049749 | Sep 2014 | US |
