U.S. patent application number 11/243248 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-05 for expandable and adjustable display stand.
Invention is credited to David Yang.
Application Number | 20070075210 11/243248 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37900979 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070075210 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yang; David |
April 5, 2007 |
Expandable and adjustable display stand
Abstract
A display stand is made from continuous bending of a piece of
metal round wire or flat stripe. It is configured in a compact
storage size prior to usage. By a simple unfolding method, it is
expandable to a self-standing full size display stand in an
adjustable inclined position during usage. It is adaptable to a
base for attaching the display stand to a horizontal or vertical
flat surface.
Inventors: |
Yang; David; (Moraga,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DAVID YANG
1020 WICKHAM DR.
MORAGA
CA
94556
US
|
Family ID: |
37900979 |
Appl. No.: |
11/243248 |
Filed: |
October 5, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/465.1 ;
248/447.1; 248/456; 248/464 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 1/142 20130101;
A47F 5/01 20130101; G09F 1/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/465.1 ;
248/447.1; 248/456; 248/464 |
International
Class: |
A47B 23/00 20060101
A47B023/00; A47B 97/04 20060101 A47B097/04; A47G 1/24 20060101
A47G001/24; A47B 41/06 20060101 A47B041/06 |
Claims
1. A display stand made from continuous bending of a piece of metal
round wire or flat stripe, having a compact storage size comprising
of a first vertical leg, a first bend, a second vertical leg, a
second bend, a third horizontal leg, a third bend, a fourth
vertical leg, a fourth bend, and a fifth vertical leg; and Said
first, second, fourth and fifth vertical legs being at
substantially equal height; and Said first bend connecting the
upper ends of said first and second vertical legs, in which, said
first and second vertical legs being in a first vertical plan and
substantially in parallel; and Said fourth bend connecting the
upper ends of said fourth and fifth vertical legs, in which, said
fourth and fifth vertical legs being in a second vertical plan and
substantially in. parallel; and Said second bend connecting the
lower end of said second vertical leg and the right end of said
third horizontal leg, and said third bend connecting the lower end
of said fourth vertical leg and the left end of said third
horizontal leg, in which, said second and fourth vertical legs
being in a third vertical plan and substantially in parallel; and
Said first and fifth vertical legs forming a pair of front legs,
and said second and fourth vertical legs forming a pair of rear
legs of said display stand; and Said first and second vertical
plans intersecting said third vertical plan at an equal angle
greater than 90 degree as viewed from the front of said display
stand.
2. The display stand according to claim 1, in which said display
stand capable of being expanded from said compact storage size to a
first self-standing, full size by means of: Pulling said lower ends
of said first and second vertical legs away from each other in said
first vertical plan by a first incremental distance; and Pulling
said lower ends of said fourth and fifth vertical legs away from
each other in said second vertical plan by said first incremental
distance; and Said display stand capable of adjusting its inclined
position by adjusting said first incremental distance.
3. The display stand according to claim 1, in which said display
stand capable of being expanded from said compact storage size to a
second self-standing, full size by means of: Pulling said lower
ends of said first and second vertical legs away from each other in
said first vertical plan by a first incremental distance; and
Pulling said lower ends of said fourth and fifth vertical legs away
from each other in said second vertical plan by said first
incremental distance; and Pulling said upper ends of said second
and fourth legs away from each other in said third vertical plan by
a second incremental distance; and Said display stand capable of
adjusting its inclined position by adjusting said first and second
incremental distances.
4. The display stand according to claims 1, 2 and 3, in which: Said
lower end of said first and fifth vertical legs being bent upwardly
to form a first and second U-hooks; and Said first and fifth legs
forming a pair of back supports, and said first and second U-hooks
forming a pair of bottom supports for supporting an object when
said object being displayed on said display stand in said
self-standing, full size position.
5. The display stand according to claims 1, 2 and 3, in which: Said
lower end of said first vertical leg having a fifth upward bend
that connecting said lower end of said first vertical leg to a
lower end of a sixth vertical leg, in which, said first and sixth
vertical legs forming a first vertical slot cavity for inserting a
sheet form of material in an up-right position; and Said lower end
of said fifth vertical leg having a sixth upward bend that
connecting said lower end of said fifth vertical leg to a lower end
of a seventh vertical leg, in which, said fifth and seventh
vertical legs forming a second vertical slot cavity for inserting
said sheet form of material in said up-right position; and Said
first, second, fourth and fifth vertical legs being in a height
greater than half height of said sheet form of material in said
up-right position.
6. The display stand according to claims 1, 2 and 3, in which: Said
lower end of said first vertical leg having a first bracket
comprising of a fifth bend, a sixth horizontal leg, a sixth bend,
and a seventh vertical leg; and Said lower end of said fifth
vertical leg having a second bracket comprising of a seventh bend,
a eighth horizontal leg, a eighth bend, and a ninth vertical leg;
and Said first and fifth legs forming a pair of back supports, and
said first and second brackets forming a pair of bottom supports
for supporting an object when said object being displayed on said
display stand in said self-standing, full size position.
7. The display stand according to claims 4, 5 and 6, in which, said
third horizontal leg is adaptable to a molded plastic base capable
of attaching said display stand to a horizontal or vertical flat
surface.
8. The display stand according to claims 4, 5 and 6, in which said
third horizontal leg is adaptable to a molded suction cup capable
of attaching said display stand to a horizontal or vertical flat
surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a display stand for
displaying an object such as a picture, photo, post card, greeting
card, sheet of paper, note book, picture or photo frame, DVD disc,
collection plate, . . . etc.
[0002] It is common to display a picture or photo in a
conventional, self-standing picture frame. However, there is also a
need for a desk top display stand for displaying an un-framed
picture or photo, post card or greeting card on a temporary or
permanent basis. Particularly, such a display stand can be more
convenient and attractive for displaying an odd size or an
elongated, paramount-size picture or photo.
[0003] The display stand of present invention is made from
continuous bending of a single piece of metal round wire or flat
stripe. It is configured in a compact storage size prior to usage.
Through a simple unfolding method, it is expandable to a full size,
self-standing display stand adjustable in various inclined
positions during usage. As a result, the display stand of present
invention is very inexpensive and commercially marketable. The
display stand of present invention can be configured in various
sizes and shapes for extended applications. For an example, besides
the usage as a picture, photo or greeting card display stand, it
can be configured as a paper holder that holds a sheet or multiple
sheets of paper in an up-right position during reading. For another
example, it can be configured as a book or note book holder that
holds a book or note book in an up-right position during reading.
Yet in another example, it can be configured as a display stand for
displaying a DVD disc, collection plate, picture or photo frame,
book, . . . etc. at homes, offices or stores.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] An object of present invention is to provide an inexpensive
display stand that is made from continuous bending of a single
metal round wire or flat strip.
[0005] Another object of present invention is to provide such a
display stand in a compact storage size, that is expandable to a
self-standing, full size display stand during usage.
[0006] Another object of present invention is to provide such a
display stand adjustable in various inclined positions during
usage.
[0007] Another object of present invention is to provide a display
stand capable of displaying a picture, photo, post card or greeting
card.
[0008] Another object of present invention is to provide a display
stand capable of retaining a sheet of paper in an up-right
position.
[0009] Another object of present invention is to provide a display
stand capable of displaying a thicker and heavier object such as a
DVD disc, collection plate, book, note book, picture or photo
frame, . . . etc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the first preferred
embodiments of the display stand in a compact storage-size.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a perspective front view of the first preferred
embodiments of the display stand in a first ready-for-use,
self-standing, full size.
[0012] FIG. 3 shows a perspective front view of the first preferred
embodiments of the display stand in a second ready-for-use,
self-standing, full size.
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the second preferred
embodiments of the display stand in a compact storage-size.
[0014] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the third preferred
embodiments of the display stand in a compact storage-size.
[0015] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a molded plastic base for
attaching the display stand of present invention to a horizontal or
vertical flat surface.
[0016] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a molded suction cup for
attaching the display stand of present invention to a horizontal or
vertical flat surface.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the first preferred
embodiments of the display stand in a compact storage-size. FIG. 2
and FIG. 3 show a perspective view of the first preferred
embodiments of the display stand in a first and second
ready-for-use, self-standing, full size respectively. In FIG. 1,
the display stand 1 is made from continuous bending of a flexible,
spring quality metal round wire 2. The bending configuration
includes a first vertical leg 3, a first bend 4, a second vertical
leg 5, a second bend 6, a third horizontal leg 7, a third bend 8, a
fourth vertical leg 9, a fourth bend 10, and a fifth vertical leg
11. The lower free ends of first and fifth vertical legs 3 and 11
are bent upwardly to form U-hooks 12 and 13 respectively, which are
configured for retaining a thin and light weight object, such as a
picture, photo, post card or greeting card, . . . etc. All the
first, second, fourth and fifth vertical legs 3,5, 9 and 11 are in
approximately same height.
[0018] The first radius bend 4 connects the upper ends of first and
second vertical legs 3 and 5. The first and second vertical legs 3
and 5 are substantially in parallel and in a first vertical plan.
The fourth radius bend 10 connects the upper ends of fourth and
fifth vertical legs 9 and 11. The fourth and fifth vertical legs 9
and 11 are substantially in parallel and in a second vertical plan.
The second and third radius bends 6 and 8 connect the right and
left ends of the third horizontal leg 7 to the lower ends of second
and fourth legs 5 and 9 respectively. The second and fourth
vertical legs 5 and 9 are substantially in parallel and in a third
vertical plan. The first and second vertical plans intersect the
third vertical plan at an equal angle that is greater than 90
degree (as viewed from the front of the display stand 1),
preferably, says 120 degree.
[0019] When converting the display stand 1 from the compact storage
size (FIG. 1) to the first self-standing, full size (FIG. 2), the
lower ends of first and second vertical legs 3 and 5 are pushed
away from each other in the first vertical plan by a first
incremental distance; and the lower ends of fourth and fifth
vertical legs 9 and 11 are pushed away from each other in the
second vertical plan by the same first incremental distance. The
inclined position of the display stand 1 in FIG. 2 is adjustable by
adjusting the first incremental distance. Optionally, the upper
ends of second and fourth legs 5 and 9 can be pushed further away
from each other in the third vertical plan by a second incremental
distance, which results in the second self-standing, full size as
shown in FIG. 3. This second self-standing full size further
increases the lateral size of the display stand 1, as well as the
stability of display stand 1 in self-standing position. Obviously,
the inclined position of the display stand 1 is adjustable by
adjusting the first or second incremental distance. It can be
noticed from FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 that the horizontal distance between
the lower ends of the front legs (i.e. the first and fifth legs 3
and 11) is much greater than the horizontal distance between the
lower ends of the rear legs (i.e. the second and fourth legs 5 and
9). This is resulted of the fact that the first and second vertical
plans intersect the third vertical plan at an equal angle much
greater than 90 degree. Such a result increases the stability of
the display stand 1 in self-standing position. Since all the first,
second, third and fourth bends 4, 6, 8 and 10 in the compact
storage size of display stand I are radius bends, the bending
stress at these bend locations, which is resulted of converting the
display stand 1 from the compact storage size to the self-standing
full size, is significantly reduced. Therefore, the above method of
converting the display stand 1 from the compact storage size to the
self-standing full size will not cause a breakage at the bend
locations.
[0020] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the second preferred
embodiments of the display stand in a compact storage-size. The
display stand 14 of the second preferred embodiments has a
configuration similar to that of the display stand 1 in FIG. 1.
However, the U-hook 12 in display stand 1 (FIG. 1) is now replaced
by a fifth bend 15, a sixth vertical leg 16, and a first slot
cavity 17 in display stand 14 (FIG. 4). Similarly, the U-hook 13 in
display stand 1 (FIG. 1) is replaced by a sixth bend 18, a seventh
vertical leg 19, and a second slot cavity 20 in display stand 14
(FIG. 4). The first and second slot cavities 17 and 20 are
configured for retaining a sheet or multiple sheets of papers in an
up-right position. Therefore, the height of display stand 14, i.e.
the height of first, second, fourth and fifth vertical legs 21, 22,
23 and 24, is preferably at greater than half height of the paper
in an up-right position. The display stand 14 in the compact
storage size is expandable to multiple self-standing, full sizes
according to the same method as previously described for the
display stand 1 in the first preferred embodiments.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the third preferred
embodiments of the display stand in a compact storage-size. The
display stand 25 of the third preferred embodiments has a
configuration similar to that of the display stand 1 in FIG. 1.
However, the U-hook 12 in display stand 1 (FIG. 1) is now replaced
by a bracket 26 that comprises of a fifth bend 27, and a sixth
horizontal leg 28, a sixth bend 29 and a seventh vertical leg 30 in
display stand 25. Similarly, the U-hook 13 in display stand 1 (FIG.
1) is now replaced by a bracket 31 that comprises of a seventh bend
32, a eighth horizontal leg 33, a eighth bend 34, and a ninth
vertical leg 35 in display stand 25. The brackets 26 and 31 are
configured for retaining a thicker and heavier object such as a DVD
disc, collection plate, picture or photo frame, book or note book,
. . . etc. The display stand 25 in the compact storage size is
expandable to multiple self-standing, full sizes according to the
same method as previously described for the display stand 1 in the
first preferred embodiments.
[0022] Preferably, the display stand of present invention is
factory fabricated in the compact storage size from bending a metal
round wire. Such a reduced storage size offers a significant
advantage for commercially marketing the display stand. However,
the display stand of present invention can also be factory
fabricated in the self-standing, full size. Alternatively, the
display stands of present invention can be made from continuously
bending and twisting of a single metal flat stripe in lieu of round
wire. Twisting of the flat stripe in mid section of a vertical leg
can avoid simultaneous twisting and bending at the bend locations,
and thus increase the bending strength at the bend locations.
[0023] Even the display stand of present invention is a
self-standing stand, it is adaptable to other means that enables
the display stand to be securely attached to a horizontal or
vertical surface. In FIG. 6, a molded plastic plate 36 has a slot
cavity 37 at the top surface for engaging with the third horizontal
leg of the display stand of present invention. The bottom surface
38 is provided with a two-side pressure sensitive adhesive tape 39.
In FIG. 7, a molded suction cup 40 has an integral top projectile
41 with a slot cavity 42 for engaging with the third horizontal leg
of the display stand of present invention.
[0024] According to present invention, the display stand can be
made in various sizes or shapes depending its applications. A
deviation or modification in size or shape is considered within the
spirit and scope of present invention.
* * * * *