US 4,727,994 AGranted

Collapsible support and attachment structure

AssigneeSkyline Displays, Inc.

InventorBryan J. Beaulieu

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A first reflexively collapsible support and attachment structure for use in portable self-supporting frames for display panels, walls, podiums and tables. A horizontal elongate foot having front and back ends forms the base. Connected to the front end of the foot is a first brace adapted to swing to an inclined position. A biased support strut is provided between the foot and the first brace. The support strut is slidably collapsible and supports the first brace in the inclined position. Second and subsequent braces are interlockingly hinged such as to swing to generally vertical positions. Aligned in parallel fashion is a second like reflexively collapsible structure. The first and second structures are interconnected by at least two horizontal connecting rods. Display panels or sheets are connected between the first and second structures.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A reflexively collapsible, portable, self-supporting structure for display panels, walls, podiums, tables, and the like, comprising at least two sides each side having

(a) footing means for supporting the structure;
(b) a first brace, said first brace attached to said footing means;
(c) a second brace, said second brace pivotably attached to said first brace so that said second brace is pivotable in a first direction;
(d) a first releasable locking means for releasably locking said first brace to said second brace, said first releasable locking means connected to said first and second braces;
(e) a third brace, said third brace pivotably attached to said second brace so that said third brace is pivotable in a second direction, said third brace having a first aligned release button;
(f) a second releasable locking means for releasably locking said second brace to said third brace, said second releasable locking means connected to said second and third braces, said second releasable locking means spaced equidistance from said first releasable locking means and said first aligned release button;
(g) a further brace, said further brace pivotably attached to said third brace so that said further brace is pivotable in said first direction, said further brace having a further aligned release button;
and
(h) a third releasable locking means for releasably locking said third brace to said further brace, said third releasable locking means connected to said third and further braces, said third releasable locking means spaced equidistance from said second releasable locking means and said further aligned release button whereby the structure is collapsible by releasing said third releasable locking means, which allows said further brace to pivot and said further aligned release button to automatically and reflexively cooperate with and release said second releasable locking means, which in turn allows said third brace to pivot and said first aligned release button to automatically and reflexively cooperate with and release said first locking means, which in turn allows said second brace to pivot to reduce the structure to a collapsible form.

6 more elements

A method for reflexively collapsing a portable, selfsupporting structure for display panels, walls, podiums, tables and the like, the structure having a foot for supporting the structure, a first brace attached to the foot, a second brace pivotallly attached to the first brace, a first releasable locking means releasably locking the first and second braces, a third brace pivotally attached to the second brace, a first aligned release button attached to the third brace, a second releasable locking means releasably locking the second and third braces and spaced equidistance from the first releasable locking means and the first aligned release button, a further brace pivotally attached to said third brace, a further aligned release button attached to the further brace, and a third releasable locking means releasably locking the third and further braces and spaced equidistance from the second releasable locking means and the further aligned release button, comprising:

(a) releasing said third releasable locking means;
(b) pivoting said further brace in a first direction after said third releasable locking meana has been released;
(c) permitting said further aligned release button on said further brace to cooperate with said second releasable locking means, thereby automatically and reflexively releasing said second releasable locking means as said further brace pivots and swings into contact with said third brace;
(d) pivoting said third brace in a second direction after said second releasable locking means has been released, said second direction being different from said first direction;
(e) permitting said first aligned release button on said third brace to cooperate with said first releasable locking means, thereby automatically and reflexively re1easing said first releasable locking means as said third brace pivots and swings into contact with said second brace;
(f) pivoting said second brace in said first direction to contact with said first brace and said foot, said second brace to be pivoted after said first releasable locking means has been released to thereby collapse the structure to a portable form.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/068,104Filed 10 Aug 1987 · continuation
Priority: 28 Oct 1985
Granted: 1 Mar 1988
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

E04B 2/7422
With free upper edge, e.g. for use as office space dividers: with separate framed panels without intermediary support posts
A47B 19/06
Reading-desks; Lecterns; Pulpits , i.e. free-standing: with adjustable top leaf
A47F 5/108
Adjustable or foldable or dismountable display stands: adapted for regular, e.g. daily, transport, filled with articles to a display area
E04B 2002/7483
Removable non-load-bearing partitions; Partitions with a free upper edge: details of furniture, e.g. tables or shelves, associated with the partitions