I. CROSS REFERENCE TO RELA TED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation application and claims priority from U.S.

Provisional Patent Application No. 62/278,988, filed on January 15, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

II. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to display stands and processes for

making the same.

III. BACKGROUND

[0003] Display stands are used to exhibit merchandise, advertisements, artwork, and other items at meetings, presentations, and shows, among other venues. Despite their utility and popularity, display stands can be heavy, bulky, and complicated to setup.

IV. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to an embodiment, an apparatus includes a plurality of hubs and a plurality of support arms configured to extend and retract depending on an orientation of the plurality of hubs. A display surface is configured to fold into a collapsible position when the plurality of support arms are in a retracted position and to be substantially planar when the plurality of support arms are in an extended position.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus includes a plurality of hubs and a plurality of support arms configured to extend and retract depending on an orientation of the plurality of hubs. An interchangeable display surface attaches to the plurality of support arms and is configured to be actuated using an umbrella action.

[0004] Features and other benefits that characterize embodiments are set forth in the claims annexed hereto and forming a further part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the embodiments, and of the advantages and objectives attained through their use, reference should be made to the Drawings and to the accompanying descriptive mailer. V. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. I shows a perspective view of a display system that includes a main hub and a sliding hub;

[0006] FIG. 2 shows a display system similar to that, shown in FIG. i , but without a display surface attached;

[0007] FIG. 3 shows a display system similar to that shown in FIG. 1 from a rear view perspective;

[0008] FIG. 4 shows a display system similar to that shown in FIG. J from a side view perspective;

[0009] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a display system that includes extending/foldable support arms;

[0010] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a support arm that includes a two piece hinged length and a pivot/hinge;

[0011] FIG. 7 shows a terminal end of a support, arm;

[0012] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a display system that is col lapsed for travel or storage;

[0013] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the sliding hub;

[0014] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the main hub;

[0015] FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of the main hub; and

[0016] FIG. 12 shows display system having a retaining ring accessible via recesses.

VI. DETAILED DESCRIPT ION

[0017] An embodiment of a display system includes umbrella-action collapsibility to enable ease of transport and setup. The display system may include two hubs, extruded tubes, and hinges, as well as a center support. The display system may be collapsible with printed fabric graphics that remain attached when packaged for storage or transport. When opened, the fabric or other display surface may be stretched tight and allow the display system to stand upright.

[0018] The display system may include multiple types of fabric for varied purposes, not limited to large format iabric graphics for trade show exhibits, portable projections screens or green screens, and quiit walls or other textile applications. Moreover, the display surface may be attached, detached, and interchanged by another display surface using fasteners.

[0019] A main hub may be positioned around a center support and may be attached to multiple support arms. In one configuration, the support arms may attach to the main hub via main connectors.

[0020] According to an embodiment, the main hub may comprise two cortneclabie pieces with recessed slots allowing access to a retaining ring. The recessed slots may be used to selectively create multiple display configurations. The main connectors may be attached to a retaining ring according to a desired configuration.

[0021] In one implementation, the recessed slots may be positioned every 22.5 degrees around the main hub. Other configurations may include slots at every 15 degrees, among other possible spacing's. in an example, attaching the support arms mat are 45 degrees apart from top or bottom center may create a shaped tabletop or freestanding display. Attaching the main support arms at 67.5 degrees from top or bottom center may create a rectangular shape. Attaching the support arms at 22.5 degrees apart may create a relatively tall, narrow, and vertical bannerstand. By rotating the main hub 11.25 degrees, several additional sizes and shapes may be created because rotating the main hub may change the angle of the support arms.

[0022] The support arms may attach to the main hub (Via main connectors) and may extend in to corner pockets or connectors that may attach to the comers and possibly- other portions of the display graphic. A fabric or plastic display may be stretched tight when in a show position and may remain attached when the display system is folded into a closed position. When packed, the fabric may remain under tension to minimize wrinkles.

[0023] A sliding hub may slide along the center support. Wire form support braces may attach to the sliding hub on one end and to the main support arms on their other end. Moving the sliding hub in a direction along the center support toward the main hub may cause the display system to open from a collapsed position. Conversely, moving the sliding hub away from the main hub may collapse, or close, the display system in a maimer similar to an umbrella. [0024] The wire form support braces attach the innermost main support arms to the sliding hub. The wire form support arm braces may comprise twin arms that trap and center the main support arms when folded into a stored position.

[0025] According to an embodiment, the wire form support arms may hook around a retaining ring of the sliding hub. They may thus be retained to sliding hub. The sliding hub may include recesses, or slotted openings, that exposes the retaining ring and can connect to one or both of the wire form support arms. This configuration allows the main support arms to be spaces in every other hub slot position with a wire form support arm brace for each main support arm sharing the same position in between. In this manner, a fabric display may be rectangular in shape with one side significantly greater in dimension than an adjacent side by allowing the center support to be placed at closer angles than 45 degrees.

[0020] The retaining rings in the hubs, like all the other mechanical components of the display system, may be made of steel, plastic, rubber, ceramic, wood, or virtually any rigid or semi-rigid material. As discussed herein, the retaining rings may be used to attach the main connectors to the main hub and the wire form braces to the sliding hub.

[0027] The center support may include a two piece hinged length that, as with other components described herein, may be tubular. The center support may be positioned perpendicularly with relation to the main hub. The center support may include a pivot, in-line hinge proximate the main hub. The hinge may allow one section of the center support to rotate (e.g., once it has cleared the sliding hub) such that it provides a rear support/stand of an erected display system. The stand section may include an internal telescoping tube to contact a table or floor at different lengths.

[0028] A main support sleeve may be positioned externally around the center support.

The main support sleeve may keep a hinged portion of the center support co-linear throughout the sliding action of the sliding hub (e.g., either away or towards the main hub). The main support sleeve may be spring loaded against the main hub such that that the main support sleeve holds the hinge aligned until the hinge passes through the sliding hub and exits on the side opposite the main hub. The main support sleeve may occupy a space between the sliding hub and the main hub when the display is in an erected position. [0029] According to a particular embodiment, a support arm pivot binge may be positioned at an intermediate point on each support arm. The pivot hinges may allow the support arms to unfold from 0 degrees to 180 degrees when in the show position. This action may double the length of the support arms and may quadruple a distance across a diagonal of the open display. A pivot hinge may include two parallel pivot points. The distance between the pivot points may be configured to allow both sections of a support arm to fold out in one continuous line when deployed and to fold such that the sections are parallel and side-by-side when packed.

[0030] A diameter of a pivot hinge may not exceed a diameter of a support arm to allow a sliding tube brace to span the pivot hinge when the support arm is extended. The sliding tube may have an internal diameter that is closely dimensioned to the outer diameter of the pivot, hinge and support arm. The sliding tube brace may keep the hinge from breaking or flexing and may allow the display system to hold the display surface taut.

[0031] The sliding tube brace of an example may be spring loaded or attached to an elastic cord assembly. In this manner, the sliding tube brace may brace the pivot hinge automatically. More particularly, when a support arm is fully extended/opened, a bungee cord may pull the sliding tube brace toward the main center and over the pivot hinge. Alternatively, a compression spring may force the sliding tube brace over the hinge.

An alternative embodiment may use a disk hinge in place of the .sliding tube hinge. The disk hinge may sue internal ball springs that detent into position when a joint is rotated. The disk hinge may include an external stop that inhibits rotation beyond 180 degrees. Another embodiment of the disk hinge includes pins that are captured internally and that rotate with each side of the hinge within tracks and provide a rigid rotational stop in the open position.

[0033] The elastic cord assembly may serve multiple functions. For example, a cord may attach to one, several, or all of the support amis. The elastic cord may attach directly to the support arm and/or to the sliding tube brace. The elastic cord assembly may further attach to the main hub such that the elastic cord is pulled between support arms (e.g., towards the main hub) so that the cord does not interfere with the folding of the display surface when closed and stored. The elastic cord prevents stress on the main hub and connectors by keeping the support arras centered and equidistant when the display system is open or closed.

[0034] One or more cords of the elastic cord assembly may be positioned on each of the outermost support arms in a position that is forward (e.g., display surface side) of a centerline of the pivot points connecting the innermost and outermost support arms. This configuration may create a center spring force that helps to open the frame when the support arms are opened past 90 degrees, and to close the frame when the support arms are folded at a position less than 90 degrees.

[0035] A corner light bracket may be positioned proximate an outermost end of each support arm. The comer light bracket may divide a cylinder of the center support such that a forward section of the corner light bracket is inserted in to a fabric comer packet of the display surface. A rearmost section may be presented behind the retained fabric comer and may contain receptacles to mount a lighting system.

[0036] A loop, hook, or other fastener may be positioned to a cord at a lowest,

centermost section of the cord when open. This fastener may retain a support arm that forms a rear leg of the erected display system. Tension of the cord may retain the leg in a substantially vertical position, trapping it against a rear face of the sliding hub.

[0037] An embodiment may include a mounting bracket that attaches to a sliding hub or a portion of a support arm to mount a projector. The projector may allo w a rear projection image or video to be projected onto the display surface. An uppermost center position on the main hub may be used to mount an addition support ami on which a light fixture may be attached for illuminating the display surface.

[0038] Now turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a display system

100 that includes a main hub 102 and a sliding hub 104. A section 106 of a center support 108 bends to function as a stand. Support arms 110, 1 1 1, 113, 115 are connected to a display surface 112. Wire form support braces 114 are shown, as is an elastic cord assembly 116. As discussed herein, the display surface 1 12 of an embodiment may be fabric, and the support arms 110, 111, 113, 115 and center support 108 may include tubular metal.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows a display system 200 similar to that shown in FIG. 1 , but without a display surface attached. For example, the system 200 includes a main hub 202, a sliding hub 204, a center support 206 with a hinge 208 and stand section 210. The system 200 further includes a support arm 212, an elastic cord assembly 214, and a wire form support brace 216.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows a display system 300 similar to that shown in FIG. 1 from a rear view perspective.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows a display system 400 similar to that shown in FIG. 1 from a side view perspective. The center support 402 includes a two piece hinged length and a pivot/hinge 404. The hinge 404 may allow one (e.g. stand) section 406 of the center support to rotate (e.g., once it has cleared a sliding hub 408) such that it provides a rear support/stand of an erected display system. The stand section 406 may include an internal telescoping tube 410 to contact a table or floor at different lengths. The telescoping action may be set using a latch mechanism 412.

[0042] FIG- 5 shows an embodiment of a display system 500 that includes

extending/foldable support arms 502-505. The system 500 includes a main hub 506, a sliding hub 508, and wire form support braces 510. Support arms 502, 503 are bent at hinges 512, 514. Sliding tube braces 516, 518 span hinges (not shown) of support arms 504, 505.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a support arm 600 that includes a two piece

hinged length and a pivot/hinge 602. The hinge 602 may allow one section 604 of the support arm 600 to bend. A main support sleeve 606 may slide over the hinge 602 to brace the support arm 600 when extended.

[0044] FIG. 7 shows a terminal end of a support arm 700. The terminal end may include a cap 702 that fits into a tube of the support arm 700 and may be interchangeable with another cap (not shown).

[0045] FIGs. 8-12 show perspective views of an embodiment of a display system that is collapsed for travel or storage. For instance, FIG. 8 shows support arms 802 folded in line with a main hub 804 and a sliding hub 806. FIG. 9 shows a zoomed in view of the sliding hub, and FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the main hub. FIG. 1 1 shows an exploded view of the main hub, and FIG. 12 shows a retaining ring 1202 accessible via recesses 1204. [0046] The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosed embodiments. Various

modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope possible consistent with the principles and features as defined by the following claims.