| WO/1987/005427 | PORTABLE DISPLAY PANEL APPARATUS |
| JP2006116033 | BULLETIN BOARD USING CLIP |
| WO/2000/054633 | WALL MOUNTED DISPLAY FIXTURE SYSTEM |
MEIJER, Ulf (S:t Eriksgatan 50 A, Stockholm, S-11234, SE)
CLAIMS
1. A portable display means (10} adapted for both indoor and outdoor use, which display means (10) is operable between a first portable condition (A) and a second display condition (B), characterized In that said display means (10) comprises a first structure (12) and a second structure (14), wherein said first structure (12) comprises a coil spring (18) and a flexible materia! (18), wherein said coil spring (18) is fixated in said flexible materia! (18) in such a way that said first structure (12) in its compressed condition has a flat appearance, and in its uncompressed condition has an elongated appearance, and in that said second structure (14) Is made of a flexible material (20) with a display sign (C), and has a shape adapted to substantially encompass said first structure (12) when said first structure (12) is in said uncompressed condition, and in that said second structure (14) afso comprises holding means (22) operable to anchor said display means (10) to a surface (u).
2. A portable display means (10) adapted for both indoor and outdoor use according to Claim 1 , characterized " in that said first structure (12), in its uncompressed condition, has a cylindrical shape.
3. A portable display means (10) adapted for both indoor and outdoor use according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised Irs that said second structure (14) also comprises a first end surface (24) and a second end surface (26), which first and second end surfaces (24, 26) are connected to each other through said flexible material (20) and arranged in such a way that said second structure (14) is adapted to, together with said surface (u), totally encompass said first structure (12) when said first structure (12) is in said uncompressed condition,
C use according to Claim 3 S characterized in that said first and second end surfaces (24, 26) each is made of a πoπ-flexibSe materia! or has attached thereto a non-flexible material.
5. A portable display means (10) adapted for both indoor and outdoor use according to any one of Claims 1 - 4, characterized in that said
second structure (14) and adapted to accommodate weights (34).
5
8. A portable display means (10} adapted for both indoor and outdoor use according to any one of Claims 1 - 4 S characterized in that said holding means (22) are in the form of hooks or loops (22 2 ) arranged on said
io with the aid of stakes (28) when said surface (u) is soft,
7, A portable display means (10) adapted for both indoor and outdoor use according to any one of Claims 1 - 6, characterized in that said col! spring (16) is fixated in said flexible material (18) by being sewn into a i5 pocket (30) in said flexible materia! (18).
θ. A portable display means (10) adapted for both indoor and outdoor use according to any one of Claims 1 - 7, characterized in that said display means (10) also comprises bands, strings or ciamps (32) operable to hold o said first structure (12) in its compressed condition,
9. A portable display means {100} adapted for both indoor and outdoor use, which display means (100) Is operable between a first portable condition (A) and a second display condition (B), characterized In that said 5 display means (100) comprises a structure {120} comprising a cos! spring (180) and a flexible material (180), wherein said coil spring (180) Is fixated in said flexible material (180) in such a way that said structure (120) in Its compressed condition has a flat appearance, and in its uncompressed condition has an elongated appearance, and in that said structure (120) is0 provided with a display sign (C). |
FmId of the invention
The present invention relates, in a first aspect to a portable display means adapted for both indoor and outdoor use.
According to a second aspect, the invention relates to another portable display means adapted for both ir outdoor use,
A display sign (printed message) for outdoor use is geπeraiiy quite inflexible and un-portabie because of its weight and that It is not easy to fold and unfoid. Normally, the change of printed display is rather cumbersome.
However, there exist some portable lightweight signs. These existing portable lightweight signs either have: - a lot of ioose parts, resulting in a mounting which is both time consuming and tricky, and/or
- are foldabie by twisting and/or bending, resulting in a cumbersome replacement of graphic and to some extent cumbersome folding/un-folding,
The patent document US-A1 -2004/0183293 relates to display panels made at least partially of stretch fabric. Different ways of mounting these display panels onto supporting structures such as folding frames are disclosed. The display panels can be used indoors and outdoors. The display panel has some sort of material printed thereon. These display panels are primarily used as display media for trade shows and temporary exhibitions. Although, it is not explicitly explained how these display panes are mounted it seems to be rather time consuming and tricky, by having a lot of loose parts.
The patent document US-5,343.887 relates to structures particularly but not exclusively to portable, free-standing structures suitable for shelters such as tents and emergency protection. In one embodiment, the structure is an elongated portable structure for the use as a tent or the iike, having an end panel at each end. Each end panel comprises an annular hoop of flexible, resilient strip material which can be reduced to a much smalier dimension by twisting. A sheet of substantially πon-stretchabfe, flexible fabric in the space within each hoop is secured to the hoop so that the sheet is maintained taut and will resist collapse or
distortion of the hoop, The end panels are maintained in generally upright position by at least one spreader rod extending between the end panels, and struts connected to the ends of the rod and attached to the respective end panels. A rigid force distributor may be attached to each strut to engage the sheet within each hoop. A flexible cover with an opening extends between the end paneis to provide shelter for a person or persons occupying the structure.
The patent document US-B1 -7,040,333 relates to a portable, collapsibie enclosure for protection from the elements In an outdoor environment. The tent- like enclosure is provided with one or more fabric coverings each bearing at feast one colour or camouflage pattern. The coverings are easily removable from the enclosure, and may be reversible, bearing one colour of camouflage pattern on one side, and a different colour or camouflage pattern on the reverse side.
The above mentioned problems are solved by a portabie display means adapted for both indoor and outdoor use according to Claim 1. The dispiay means is operable between a first portable condition and a second display condition. The display means comprises a first structure and a second structure. The first structure comprises a coil spring and a flexible material, wherein the coil spring is fixated in the flexible material in sisch a way thai the first structure in its compressed condition has a flat appearance, and in its uncompressed condition has an elongated appearance. The second structure is made of a flexible material with a display sign, and has a shape adapted to substantially encompass the first structure when the first structure Is in the uncompressed condition. The second structure also comprises holding means operable to anchor the display means to a surface.
A first advantage with the portable display means according to the present invention is that it is easy to fold and unfold, because its handling is rather intuitive
Another advantage with the portable display means according to the present invention is that it has a very low weight.
Yet another advantage with this portable dispiay means is that it is very easy to change the graphics.
Another important advantage with the portable display means according to the present Invention is that no frame or similar is visible when the display means is in the display condition, which gives a very neat and clear impression of the printed message, Yet another advantage with this display means is that it easiiy can be used both on hard and soft ground,
A further advantage in this context is achieved if said first structure, in its uncompressed condition, has a cylindrical shape.
Furthermore, it is an advantage in this context if said second structure also comprises a first end surface and a second end surface, which first and second end surfaces are connected to each other through said flexible material and arranged in such a way that said second structure is adapted to, together with said surface (u), totally encompass said first structure when said first structure is in
A further advantage in this context is achieved if said first and second end surfaces each is made of a non-flexible material or has attached thereto a non-flexible material.
Furthermore, it is an advantage in this context if said holding means are in the form of pockets arranged on said second structure and adapted to accommodate weights.
According to another embodiment, it is an advantage if said holding means are in the form of hooks or loops arranged on said second structure and adapted to hold said display means in place with the aid of stakes when said surface (u) is soft, A further advantage in this context is achieved if said coil spring is fixated in said flexible material by being sewn into a pocket in said flexible material.
Furthermore, it is an advantage in this context if said display means also comprises bands, strings or clamps operable to hold said first structure in its compressed condition.
The above mentioned problems are also solved with a portable display means adapted for both indoor and outdoor use according to Claim
9. The display means is operable between a first portable condition, and s second display condition. The display means comprises a structure comprising a cos! spring, and a flexible material, wherein the coil spring is fixated in the flexible material in such a way that the structure in Its compressed condition has a flat appearance, and in its uncompressed
A first advantage with the portable display means according to the present invention is that it is easy to fold and unfold, because its handling is rather intuitive and very fast.
Another advantage with the portable display means according to the present invention is that it has a very low weight.
Another important advantage with the portable display means according to the present invention is that no frame or similar is visible when the display means is in the display condition, which gives a very neat and clear impression of the printed message.
Yet another advantage with this display means is that it easily can be used both on hard and soft ground.
It will be noted that the term "comprises/comprising" as used in this description is intended to denote the presence of a given characteristic, step or component, without excluding the presence of one or more other characteristic features, integers, steps components or groups thereof.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with a reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the first structure comprised in both the first and second embodiments of the portable display means according to the present invention; Fig, 2 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of the portable display means according to the present invention; and
Figs. 3a - 3h shows six perspective views of a mounting sequence of the first embodiment of the portable display means according to the present
In fig. 1 there is disclosed a perspective view of the first structure 12/structure 120 comprised in both the first and second embodiments of the portable display means 10; 100 according to the present invention. The first structure 12/ the structure 120 comprises a coil spring 18; 180 and a flexible material 18; 180. In the structure 12; 120 disclosed in fig. 1 the coil spring 18; 180 is sewn into a pocket 30 in the flexible material 18; 180. In fig. 1 the first structure 12/ the structure 120 is disclosed in its uncompressed condition, wherein it has an elongated appearance. As also is apparent in fig. 1 , the first structural 2/the structure 120, in its uncompressed condition, has a cylindrical shape with a circular cross section. It is to be noted that the first structure 12/the structure 120 can have another shape, e.g. a cylindrical shape with an elliptical cross section.
The first structure 12/the structure 120 also comprises bands 32 operable to hold the first structure 12/the structure 120 in its compressed condition.
In the second embodiment of the portable display means 100, the structure 120 is also provided with a dispiay sign C (not disclosed),
Sn fig, 2 there is disclosed a perspective view of the first embodiment of the portable display means 10 according to the present invention, In this figure, the portable display means 10 is disclosed in the second display condition B. In fig. 2, the second structure 14 of the portable display means 10 is disclosed. In the display condition B disclosed in fig. 2, the second structure 14 is placed on, and is partly hold in place by the first structure 12 (not disclosed in fig, 2) in its uncompressed condition. The second structure 14 is made of a flexible material 20 with a display sign C. The second structure 14 has a shape adapted to substantially encompass the first structure 12 when the first structure 12 is in the uncompressed condition, as disclosed in fig. 2. As is apparent in fig. 2, the second structure 14 also comprises a first end surface 24 and a second end surface 26 (not actually disclosed). By the use of the first and second end surfaces 24, 26, the second structure 14 becomes an entity which totally, together with the surface u, covers the fist structure 12 in such a way that the first structure 12 is not at all
visible, which gives a very neat and dear impression of the printed message C, It is noted that the first and second end surfaces 24, 26 each is made of a non- flexible material or has attached thereto a non-flexible material, The second structure 14 also comprises holding means 22 operable to anchor the display means 10 to a surface u. As is apparent in fig. 2, the holding means 22 are in the form of hooks or loops 22 2 arranged on the second structure 14.
According to another embodiment, the holding means 22 are in the form of pockets 22^ arranged on the second structure 14, and adapted to accommodate weights. (Se fig. 3h.) In figs, 3a - 3f there are disclosed six perspective views of a mounting sequence of the first embodiment of the portable display means 10 according to the present invention, In fig. 3a there is disclosed a person 50, e.g. Mr. X, on his way to an exhibition, carrying a transportation bag 52 comprising the display means 10 in the first portable condition A. this example of transportation bag 52 if is provided with a shoulder strap 54.
In fig. 3b, there is disclosed how Mr. X 50 has started to unpack the display means 10 by opening the transportation bag 52.
In fig. 3c, there is disclosed how Mr. X 50 continues to unpack the display means 10 by opening a strap 58 in the transportation bag 52. In fig. 3d, there is disclosed how Mr. X 50 picks up the display means 10 from the opened transportation bag 52.
In fig. 3e, there is disclosed how Mr, X 50 just is going to unfold the first structure 12 by loosen up the bands 32.
In fig. 3f, there is disclosed the situation when the first structure 12 is completely unfold.
In fig. 3g there is disclosed how Mr. X 50 is placing the second structure 14 on the first structure 12.
In fig. 3h s there is disclosed how Mr. X 50 is pleased standing next to the unfolded display means 10 at an exhibition. In fig. 3h, there is also disclosed the USθ of stakes 28 arranged in said loops 22 2 to hold the display means 10 when the surface u is soft. There is also disclosed the use of pockets 22i adapted to accommodate weights 34.
Although, the use of pockets 22i and loops 22a is disclosed in the same figure, it is normally two different embodiments, wherein the embodiment with pockets 22i and weights 34 is to be used on a hard surface u.
According to one embodiment of the display means 10 according to the present invention, the display means 10 also comprises band or strings 32 operable to hold the first structure 12 in its compressed condition.
Although various exemplary embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made which will achieve some of the advantages of the invention without departing from the true scope of the invention.
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