U.S. patent number 3,727,874 [Application Number 05/181,368] was granted by the patent office on 1973-04-17 for folding panel construction.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Electronic Assistance Corporation. Invention is credited to John H. Wuensch.
United States Patent |
3,727,874 |
Wuensch |
April 17, 1973 |
FOLDING PANEL CONSTRUCTION
Abstract
A self-erecting foldable display structure has a continuous
display panel supported by a collapsible frame secured to its
reverse side. The support frame includes an elongated back panel
and a pair of side panels integrally hinged to the respective
longitudinal edges of the back panel. Transverse fold lines are
formed in both the support frame and the display panel dividing the
structure into a plurality of sections. A combination of flaps and
elastic bands in the support frame tend to maintain the frame with
a U-shaped cross-section, thereby preventing folding of the
structure. Manual flattening of the side panels against the pull of
the elastic bands permits the structure to be folded along the
transverse fold lines into a substantially flat, compact package.
When the folded structure is held at its upper end and allowed to
unfold freely, the support frame automatically reassumes its
U-shaped configuration and supports the display panel in a
substantially vertical position.
Inventors: |
Wuensch; John H. (Leonia,
NJ) |
Assignee: |
Electronic Assistance
Corporation (Fair Lawn, NJ)
|
Family
ID: |
22663993 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/181,368 |
Filed: |
September 17, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/459; 248/174;
248/460 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F
1/065 (20130101); G09F 1/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G09F
1/06 (20060101); G09F 1/00 (20060101); A47f
005/11 () |
Field of
Search: |
;248/459,174,450
;211/72,73 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Frazier; Roy D.
Assistant Examiner: Bonck; Rodney H.
Claims
I claim:
1. A foldable structure comprising a support frame having an
elongated back panel and a pair of side panels each foldably
related to said back panel along respective longitudinal edges of
said back panel, whereby said side panels may be selectively
positioned in the same plane as said back panel or at angles with
respect thereto, at least one score line traversing the said
support frame to divide it into a plurality of sections and enable
said frame to be folded when said back and side panels lie in the
same plane, a pair of flaps respectively hinged to said side panels
in at least one section of said frame, said flaps adapted to extend
inwardly towards said back panel when said side panels are at an
angle to said back panel and to lie substantially coplanar with
said side and back panels when said panels are in the same plane, a
pair of cutouts formed in said back panel, each aligned with a
respective one of said flaps and extending in the same direction
and beyond the ends of said flaps when said side panels are in the
same plane as said back panel, the ends of said slots forming
detent means in said back panel adapted to engage said flaps,
elastic means interconnecting said side panels and tending
simultaneously to draw said side panels into angular relationship
to said back panels and said flaps into engagement with their
respective detents, thereby to firmly retain said structure in said
angular relationship and prevent folding of said support frame, and
flat front panel means secured to said back panel and adapted to
collapse along with said support frame when the latter is folded
along said score lines.
2. The structure of claim 1 wherein a pair of flaps and associated
detent means are provided for each section of said support frame
and wherein there is further provided separate elastic means for
each of said sections.
3. The structure of claim 1 wherein corresponding ends of both of
said side panels are enlarged to provide supporting feet for said
structure when erected.
4. The structure of claim 3 further comprising a narrow flap
extending transversely of said front panel means along the lower
edge thereof, and notches formed in said supporting feet for snugly
receiving said flap.
5. The structure of claim 1 wherein said back and side panels and
said flaps are integrally formed from a single piece of sheet
material.
6. The structure of claim 1 wherein said front panel means is
continuous and substantially greater in both longitudinal and
transverse dimensions than said support frame when folded flat,
said front panel means being adapted to be folded along lines
corresponding to the score lines in said support frame, whereby
said support frame and said front panel means may be folded
together.
7. The structure of claim 6 wherein each of the fold lines in said
front panel means includes a cut-through portion substantially
coextensive with the transverse dimension of said support frame
when flattened out, the remaining portions being scored, and
wherein there is further provided a relatively short cut through
the panel means perpendicular to said fold line at each end of said
cut-through portion.
8. The structure of claim 7 wherein both said support frame and
said front panel means are formed from self-supporting sheet
material.
9. A foldable support frame for a display panel or the like
comprising, an elongated back panel and a pair of side panels each
foldably related to said back panel along respective longitudinal
edges of said back panel, whereby said side panels may be
selectively positioned in the same plane as said back panels or at
angles with respect thereto, a pair of flaps, each hinged to a
respective one of said side panels, said flaps adapted to extend
inwardly towards said back panel when said side panels are at an
angle to said back panel and to lie substantially coplanar with
said side and back panels when said panels are in the same plane, a
pair of cutouts formed in said back panel each aligned with a
respective one of said flaps and extending in the same direction
and beyond the ends of said flaps when said side panels are in the
same plane as said back panel, the ends of said slots forming
detent means in said back panel adapted to engage said flaps and
elastic means interconnecting said side panels and tending
simultaneously to draw said side panels into angular relationship
to said back panel and said flaps into engagement with their
respective detents, thereby to firmly retain said structure in said
angular relationship.
10. A foldable structure comprising a support frame having an
elongated back panel and a pair of side panels each foldably
related to said back panel along respective longitudinal edges of
said back panel, whereby said side panels may be selectively
positioned in the same plane as said back panel or at angles with
respect thereto, at least one score line traversing the said
support frame to divide it into a plurality of sections and enable
said frame to be folded when said back and side panels lie in the
same plane, a pair of flaps respectively hinged to said side panels
in at least one section of said frame, said flaps adapted to extend
inwardly towards said back panel when said side panels are at an
angle to said back panel and to lie substantially coplanar with
said side and back panels when said panels are in the same plane,
detent means in said back panel adapted to engage said flaps,
elastic means interconnecting said side panels and tending
simultaneously to draw said side panels into angular relationship
to said back panels and said flaps into engagement with their
respective detents, thereby to firmly retain said structure in said
angular relationship and prevent folding of said support frame, and
flat front panel means secured to said back panel and adapted to
collapse along with said support frame when the latter is folded
along said score lines, said back and side panels and said flaps
being integrally formed from a single piece of sheet material and
each of said flaps being formed by providing a cutout in said
support frame prior to formation of the fold between the respective
side and back panels, said cutout defining a flap integrally
connected to said side panels along a line parallel to the
subsequently formed fold line between said side and back panels and
an opening in said back and side panels having a length and width
greater than the corresponding dimensions of said flap.
11. The structure of claim 10 wherein each of said detents is
provided by an edge of said opening in said back panel.
12. In a foldable support frame for a display panel or the like, a
back panel and a side panel, said side panel being foldably related
to said back panel along a longitudinal edge thereof, whereby said
side panel may be selectively positioned in the same plane as said
back panel or at an angle with respect thereto, a flap hinged to
said side panel, said flap adapted to extend inwardly towards said
back panel when said side panel is at an angle to said back panel
and to lie substantially coplanar with said side and back panels
when said panels are in the same plane, a cutout formed in said
back panel aligned with said flap and extending in the same
direction and beyond the end of said flap when said side panel is
in the same plane as said back panel, the end of said slot forming
detent means in said back panel adapted to engage said flap, and
elastic means connected to said side panel and tending
simultaneously to draw said side panel into angular relationship to
said back panel and said flap into engagement with said detent,
thereby to firmly retain said structure in said angular
relationship, said back and side panels and said flap being
integrally formed from a single piece of sheet material.
13. The structure of claim 12 wherein said cutout extends into said
side panel to define said flap, said cutout having a length and
width greater than the corresponding dimensions of said flap, said
flap being integrally connected to said side panel along a line
parallel to the fold line between said back and side panels.
Description
This invention relates to foldable structures for advertising
displays, article support, etc., and more particularly to such a
structure formed of self-supporting sheet material which can be
easily folded to form a compact package and yet is effectively
self-erecting to provide a sturdy, self-supporting construction
especially suited for the display of advertising messages.
In so called "point of sale" advertising, wherein an advertising
message is to be brought to the consumer in the shop or market
where the advertised product is sold, it is a regular practice of
either the merchant or the supplier of the product to provide
vivid, eye-catching displays closely adjacent to the supply of the
product on the merchant's shelves to attract the attention of the
consumer. Generally, these displays are supplied to the merchant by
the salesman of the product and are of the type that may be quickly
set up and taken down by the salesman without special equipment or
assistance.
One such class of advertising displays comprise advertising
messages carried by a panel formed of paperboard, cardboard or
similar self-supporting material which is held in a generally
upright position by means such as an easel or a self-contained
foldable support frame. The latter is particularly advantageous
since it can be formed of the same material as the display panel,
is generally lighter in weight and less bulky than separate
supporting structures and is less expensive. One such type of
support frame consists of a sheet of paperboard which can be folded
to form a channel of U-shaped cross section with the side panels of
the channel being retained in that position by spacers and elastic
bands. The frame and the spacers may be flattened out and the frame
folded to reduce its bulk for transporting. The display medium
carried by the support frame consists of a plurality of separate
panels secured to the reverse side of the support frame. Thus, when
the side panels of the support frame are flattened, the frame may
be folded in the longitudinal direction between the display panels
to provide a package easily carried by a salesman. This form of
construction is exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 3,508,734, granted
Apr. 28, 1970, to H.C. Thomas.
While such constructions provide advantages in portability and
ability to be erected and collapsed, they still present certain
drawbacks which detract from their utility and ability to present
an advertising message of sufficient eye impact. These prior art
structure are unduly complex in design and manufacture and have
structural weaknesses which limit the number of times they may be
collapsed and erected without damage. Moreover, these constructions
require that the advertising display be divided into completely
separate panels with spaces therebetween, thereby limiting the
format of the message carried by the panel and detracting from its
appearance and advertising impact.
In accordance with the present invention, these drawbacks have been
eliminated to provide a structure in which a continuous advertising
panel is supported in an upright position by a simple, sturdy
support frame. Both the panel and support frame may be readily
collapsed into a compact package and the structure is completely
self-erecting in a reliable manner simply by allowing gravity to
unfold it.
Briefly, the support frame structure comprises an elongated sheet
of self-supporting paperboard or the like provided with
longitudinal folds permitting it to be formed into a U-shaped
channel, and one or more transverse score lines to enable it to be
folded into a compact package. Pairs of flaps are punched out of
the paperboard material so as to be hinged along scores in the side
panels of the U-shaped channel. These flaps are adapted to engage
detents in the back panel of the support frame formed by the same
cut-outs which provide the flaps. One or more elastic bands
interconnect the pair of side panels so as to urge them towards one
another and at the same time direct the flaps into engagement with
their respective detents. The interaction of the flaps, detents and
elastic bands form the support frame into a rigid, load support
U-shaped channel, which at the same time, may be readily flattened
and folded.
The advertising or display panel may be a single continuous sheet
of paperboard or the like (or several sheets fastened together to
form an uninterrupted surface) and is secured, such as by gluing,
to the back panel of the support frame. The display panel is
provided with fold lines corresponding to the transverse fold lines
in the support frame so that the composite support frame-display
panel structure may be folded along its longitudinal direction to
produce a compact package. To permit folding of the display panel
while accommodating the extra thickness provided by the support
frame, each of the fold lines in the display panel is cut through
for that portion of its length which is coextensive with the
support frame when flattened for folding. The remainder of the fold
lines are merely crimped or scored. This permits the display panel
to expand or open up slightly to accommodate the support frame
material when folded and yet present a continuous surface when
erected. Thus, the advertising message on the display panel may be
of a continuous nature, limited only by the size of the display
panel desired. For example, a life-size figure of a man or woman
holding the product may be imprinted on the display panel to
present a particularly eye-catching and effective sales message to
the consumer.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front view of the display structure illustrating the
manner in which it is segmented for folding;
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the display structure showing the support
frame in flattened out position;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fully erected display structure
taken from the rear to illustrate the manner in which the support
structure is erected; and
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the structure from the front
illustrating the manner in which it folds and unfolds.
Turning now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the
invention illustrated comprises a front display panel 10 and a rear
support frame structure 12, each of which is divided transversely
into a plurality of sections. Although for illustrative purposes,
four sections are provided, it will be understood that the same
principles will be applicable to a display of fewer or more
sections. Regardless of the number of sections, it will be
understood that when completely collapsed, the several sections
will be folded upon one another to form a compact package when not
in actual use (see FIG. 4).
The support frame structure is shown most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3,
with the frame flattened out in FIG. 2 and in erected position in
FIG. 3. The support frame 12 preferably is formed from a single
sheet of paperboard or similar self-supporting sheet material and
includes an elongated back panel 14 and a pair of side panels 16.
The latter are foldably joined to the back panel 14 by providing
creases 17 which function as hinges. The lower ends of the side
panels have extensions 18 which serve as feet to aid in maintaining
the structure in an upright position.
Transverse scores or fold lines 19 divide the support frame 14 into
a plurality of sections. These scores may simply be creases or
crimps in the material which allow the respective sections to be
folded relative to one another.
The U-shaped configuration of the support frame in its erected
position, as seen in FIG. 3, is maintained by a combination of
flaps 20 and elastic tensioning bands 26. As shown in FIG. 2, each
of the flaps 20 is formed by a U-shaped cut-out 21 made in the
blank from which the support frame is formed. The outer dimensions
of the cut-out are larger in both length and width than the flap
itself and the flap is integrally hinged to its respective side
panel. With the front panel glued or otherwise secured to the
reverse side of the back panel 14, as shown in FIG. 3, the edge of
the cut-out in the back panel, at the bottom 22 of the U where it
is overlayed by the front panel, provides a detent which engages
the end of the flap when its respective side panel 16 is folded
along score 17.
Preferably, a pair of flap-detent elements are provided for each
section of the structure to provide a sturdy, rigid construction.
However, depending upon the size and configuration of the display
panel, fewer or more such flap-detent pairs may be employed.
One or more elastic bands 26 interconnect the side panel and tend
to urge the side panels towards one another. This tendency is
limited by the engagement of the flaps with the respective detents,
the flaps thereby acting as struts preventing the side panel from
folding inward towards the back panel 14. By appropriate
dimensioning of the length of the flap and the location of the
detent, the side panels may be maintained approximately 90.degree.
to the back panel in the erected position.
The ends of the elastic bands 26, which may be of rubber or other
stretchable material, are retained in the side panels by anchor
pins 27 which are passed through small holes in the side panels
with the bands under tension, and thereafter seated against the
outer surfaces of the side panels to prevent withdrawal. This means
for anchoring the elastic bands requires only small holes in the
side panel, thereby avoiding any weakening of the side panel and
providing solid terminations for the elastic bands.
As seen best in FIG. 2, the elastic bands are positioned so that in
the flattened out condition of the support frame, they overlay the
flaps 20. Thus positioned, the bands insure that the flaps are
retained within the cut-out from which they are formed when the
structure is in its collapsed position, as in FIG. 2. This in turn
insures that the flaps will be in detent-engaging position when the
sign is erected. That is, the bands prevent the flaps from being
folded back up against the side panels to which they are hinged
when the structure is collapsed.
As indicated above, the support frame 12 is separated into sections
by means of the score or crimp lines 19 which allow it to be folded
up upon itself when in the flattened-out position of FIG. 2. The
display panel 10 is similarly adapted to be folded along lines 11
which correspond in position to the score lines of the support
frame so that the assembled structure may be folded. However, as
illustrated in the drawings, the fold lines 11 in the display panel
differ from the score lines 19 in the support frame.
As will be appreciated, when the sections of the structure are
folded back upon one another, as illustrated in FIG. 4, provision
must be made in the display panel to accommodate the added
thickness of the support frame material behind it. Heretofore this
problem has been solved by dividing the support panel into separate
segments, with the space between adjacent segments bridging the
fold line. This in effect, avoided the problem by leaving only a
single thickness of material at the fold, but produced a less
effective display.
In accordance with the present invention, the problem of
accommodating the double thickness of material while allowing a
continuous display panel, is solved by simply slitting or cutting
through a portion of the fold line in the front panel of an extent
sufficient to encompass the width of the support frame behind it,
without removing any portion of the panel. Thus, as seen in the
drawings, each fold line 11 in the display panel includes a central
portion 11a completely cut through and two end portions 11b which
are merely crimped, in the manner of the support frame score lines
19, to permit folding. Further, a small transverse cut 11c is made
at each end of the cut-through portion of the fold line to relieve
the tearing forces on the panel and allow the sections thereof to
expand somewhat when folded. This is illustrated clearly in FIG. 4
and as seen therein, allows the sections of the structure to be
folded back upon one another into a package whose thickness is
limited essentially by the thickness of the material of the display
panel and support frame. At the same time, when in erected
position, the cut through lines are practically unnoticeable and
from a distance of a few feet may be effectively invisible, thereby
greatly enhancing the advertiser's choice of advertising
material.
For added stability in the erected structure, the lower end of the
display panel 10 may be provided with a narrow flap 13 integrally
hinged to the panel along its lower edge which, when erected,
engages notches 15 provided in the lower ends of the side panels
16.
To collapse the structure from its erected position as seen in FIG.
3, the side panels of the support frame are manually flattened
outwardly against the tension of the elastic bands in the region of
the lower section of the structure to allow the lower section to be
folded upwardly; see FIG. 4. The folding of the first section will
provide the force necessary to flatten out the remainder of the
support frame and thereafter the remaining sections may be readily
folded up to complete the collapsing.
In erecting the structure, it is necessary only to grasp an edge of
the upper section of the display panel above the support frame and
hold it sufficiently above the floor to permit gravity to unfold
the lower sections. When the lowermost section drops, all restraint
is removed from the elastic bands and they immediately erect the
side panels and complete the formation of the U-shaped support
frame. The assembled structure may thereafter simply be lowered so
that it rests on the lower flap 13 of the display panel and the
feet 18 of the support frame.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention
provides a simple, sturdy, self-erecting, foldable display
structure with unique characteristics not found in structures
heretofore known. The simplified formation of the support frame
permits easy erection thereof into a sturdy supporting means, and
the novel fold lines provided in the display panel permits use of a
continuous panel, thereby greatly facilitating the task of the
advertiser and increasing the versatility of the structure. It will
be understood that many modifications of the structure of the
preferred embodiment will occur to those skilled in the art and it
is to be understood that the invention is to be limited only by the
scope of the following claims.
* * * * *