Lightweight collapsible signaling device
OwnerJeffrey A. Williams, Grant D. Dickeinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A collapsible signaling device bearing a pair of opposed message panels is convertible between a display configuration and a compact linear storage configuration. The message panels are joined together at spaced apart points along their periphery using spacers to form a pocket having an internal cavity. A mast is insertable within the pocket and is joined to the panel members at its upper end. A pair of struts of spring material are joined at one end to the upper end of the mast and are joined at their lower ends to a slider member which is slidably movable with respect to the mast. As the slider member is advanced toward the upper end of the mast, the struts are outwardly bowed imparting outwardly directed tension to the periphery of the message panels.
Claims27
A collapsible signaling device, comprising:
- a pocket member comprising a pair of overlying panels of flexible material, each having an outer periphery;
- a plurality of spacers at a plurality of points about the outer periphery of said panels;
- fasteners at said plurality of points joining said panels;
- an internal structure comprising an elongated mast having an upper portion;
- a slider member slidably movable with respect to said mast;
- a pair of struts of spring material having first ends attached to the upper portion of said mast and second ends attached to said slider member;
- said pocket member covering at least a portion of said struts;
- and
- said struts, said mast and said slider member cooperating to cause said struts to bow out and contact at least some of said spacers when said slider member is at a first position relative to said mast and to cause said struts to generally lie along said mast when said slider member is at a second position relative to said mast.
A collapsible signaling device, comprising:
- a pocket member comprising a pair of overlying panels of flexible material, each having an outer periphery;
- a plurality of spacers at a plurality of points about the outer periphery of said panels;
- fasteners at said plurality of points joining said panels;
- an internal structure comprising an elongated mast having an upper portion;
- a collar slidably movable along said mast;
- a pair of struts of spring material having first ends attached to the upper portion of said mast and second ends attached to said collar;
- said pocket member covering at least a portion of said struts;
- and
- said struts, said mast and said collar cooperating to cause said struts to bow out and contact at least some of said spacers when said collar is at a first position relative to said mast and to cause said struts to generally lie along said mast when said collar is at a second position relative to said mast.
A display device, comprising:
- a pair of overlying flexible panels having marginal edges joined together to form a pouch defining an interior cavity with an opening communicating with the interior cavity, with at least one of said panels displaying a message;
- an internal frame at least partly inserted through said opening so as to lie within said interior cavity;
- said internal frame including a mast and a pair of generally coextensive double ended resilient ribs having first ends pivotally joined to said mast;
- a slider member slidably engaging said mast, with second ends of said ribs pivotally joined to said slider member;
- and
- said ribs, said mast and said slider member cooperating so that with said slider member advanced toward the a free end of said mast, said ribs are compressed to take on a generally arcuate shape within said pouch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.