Foldable Support Structure

Abstract

A self-supporting foldable support structure comprises a vertical standard having a main panel and a pair of stiffener ribs extending longitudinally in planes generally normal to the plane of the vertical standard and in the nature of an easel. Structure is provided for causing the stiffener ribs to move to stiffening position in the nature of a platform for the display of articles in front of the vertical standard. Said structure comprises a front wall spaced from the vertical standard with a foldable wall extending from each end of the front wall and toward the vertical standard. Each foldable wall consists of hingedly connected wall portions, one of same being secured to a correlative stiffener rib and the other being hingedly connected to a correlative end of the front wall. The platform panel is hingedly connected to the front wall, and resilient means are connected between the platform panel and the vertical standard and are arranged to bias the platform panel to a position resting upon the tops of the foldable walls and tending to straighten the line of fold between the wall portions and thereby move the stiffener ribs to stiffening position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The structure according to the present invention relates generally to self-supporting support structures which can be shipped in a folded or K-D condition and readily erected at the point of use for display purposes.

2. The Prior Art

A structure of the general type is disclosed in Thomas U.S. Pat. No. 3,508,734 (CL 248/459). The structure according to the present invention constitutes an improvement of that shown in the aforesaid Thomas patent in that the movement of the components to the erected position is accomplished by a structure having the function also of providing a platform for the display of an article of commerce, if desired. Moreover, the structure according to the present invention is enabled to be shipped in a K-D or folded condition, if desired, the support platform being resiliently biased to a position to cause the vertical standard to have stiffener ribs extending therefrom acting in the nature of an easel.

THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the support standard according to the present invention being erected from a K-D condition thereof;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a further step in the erecting of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the structure in the erected position thereof; and

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the erected structure seen in FIG. 3.

The improved foldable support structure according to the present invention is denoted generally by the reference numeral 10 and consists of a vertical standard 11 having a transverse score line 13 therein whereby the standard 11 may be folded transversely midway of the length thereof. Vertical standard 11 has a pair of spaced stiffener ribs 12 extending therefrom, these being foldably connected to the standard 11 along fold lines 12A. Upper and lower display boards DB may be secured in any convenient fashion above and below the transverse score line 13. Such display boards may have any suitable indicia thereon or suitable devices for holding articles of trade.

Structure is provided for causing the stiffener ribs 12 to move to a stiffening position in planes generally normal to the plane of the vertical standard 11 and to function in the nature of an easel for the same. Such structure also provides a platform for the display of articles in front of vertical standard 11 and the display boards DB thereon.

Said structure includes a front wall 14 spaced from the vertical standard 11, and a foldable wall 16 extends from each end of the front wall 14 and toward the vertical standard 11. The foldable wall 16 consists of hingedly connected wall portions 17 and 18, these being connected along a vertical hinge line 19. Each of the wall portions 18 is secured, as by adhesives or the like, to the lower end of a correlative stiffener rib 12, and the other wall portion 17 is hingedly connected at 20 to a correlative end of the front wall 14.

A platform panel 21 is hingedly connected along fold line 22 to the top of front wall 14. Platform panel 21 has a stiffener flange 25, and structure is provided for biasing the platform panel 21 to the position seen in FIG. 3. Such structure includes a resilient band 24 connected at one end to a fastening ear 23 formed as part of the stiffener flange 25, the other end being secured at 26 to the lower end of the standard 11.

The action of the resilient band 24 is to cause front wall 14 to move away from the standard 11, the platform panel moving to a position where it rests upon the tops of the wall portions 17 and 18. In so doing, the angle between the wall portions 17 and 18 tends to be flattened along the line of fold 19, and in the flattening of the angle therebetween, the stiffener ribs 12 are caused to adopt positions generally normal to the plane of the main panel 11.

Claims

We claim:

1. In a self-supporting foldable support structure adapted to be vertically free standing:

a. a vertical standard having a main panel and a pair of stiffener ribs extending longitudinally thereof in planes generally normal to the plane of said main panel;

b. structure for causing said stiffener ribs to move to stiffening position and for providing a platform for the display of articles in front of said vertical standard comprising:

i. a front wall spaced from said vertical standard;

ii. a foldable wall extending from each end of said front wall toward said vertical standard;

iii. said foldable wall comprising hingedly connected wall portions;

A. one of said wall portions being secured to a correlative stiffener rib, and

B. the other of said wall portions being hingedly connected to a correlative end of said front wall;

iv. a platform panel hingedly connected to said front wall;

v. resilient means connected between said platform panel and said vertical standard and biasing said platform panel to a position resting upon the tops of said foldable walls and tending to flatten the angle between said wall portions and to move said stiffener ribs to stiffening position.