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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A collapsible, articulated structural section which is movable between a
stable erect configuration and a collapsed configuration, said structure
comprising:
a first plurality of pivot means disposed to be substantially in a first
plane in said erect configuration and to be substantially adjacent each
other in said collapsed configuration; a second plurality of pivot means
disposed to be substantially in a second plane in said erect configuration
and to be substantially adjacent each other in said collapsed
configuration; a plurality of pivotally interconnected side links for
connecting said first plurality of pivot means with said second plurality
of pivot means, each of said links being connected with one of said first
plurality of pivot means and one of said second plurality of pivot means;
a face pivot means; and a plurality of face links, each of said face links
connected with said face pivot means and with one of said first pivot
means;
a male snap fastener mounted on at least a plurality of said first
plurality of pivot means and extending outwardly away from said second
plurality of pivot means; and
a strip of rigid material, said strip having female fastener means disposed
at spaced locations therealong, and said female fastener means being
spaced from each other substantially the same distance as the distance
between said first plurality of pivot means with male fasteners when said
structure is in said erect configuration.
2. A structural section as recited in claim 1 wherein said strip is
flexible, and wherein at one portion thereof said flexible strip has a
male snap fastener extending outwardly away from the opposite face thereof
as, and in line with, said female fastener associated therewith.
3. A structural section as recited in claim 1 wherein said male fasteners
are disposed on adjacent first pivot means; and in combination with: a
sheet of material having indicia on one face thereof and having a width
and length substantially great enough to cover the face surface of said
section, said sheet having at one end thereof a pair of spaced openings,
each opening being dimensioned to receive a male fastener of said first
pivot means therein; and a cap means with a female fastener for
operatively engaging each male fastener and holding said sheet in
operative association with said structure, each said cap means having a
head portion substantially larger than said sheet openings.
4. A combination as recited in claim 1 wherein one pair of side links are
bottom side links, each of said bottom side links having at least one male
fastener extending downwardly therefrom; and further comprising a rod
having a pair of female fasteners spaced along the length thereof a
distance corresponding to the spacing between said male fasteners and said
bottom side links when said structural section is in an erect
configuration.
5. A collapsible, articulated structural section which is movable between a
stable erect configuration and a collapsed configuration, said structure
comprising:
a first plurality of pivot means disposed to be substantially in a first
plane in said erect configuration and to be substantially adjacent each
other in said collapsed configuration; a second plurality of pivot means
disposed to be substantially in a second plane in said erect configuration
and to be substantially adjacent each other in said collapsed
configuration; a plurality of pivotally interconnected side links for
connecting said first plurality of pivot means with said second plurality
of pivot means, each of said links being connected with one of said first
plurality of pivot means and one of said second plurality of pivot means;
a face pivot means; and a plurality of face links, each of said face links
connected with said face pivot means and with one of said first pivot
means;
a male snap fastener mounted on at least a plurality of said first
plurality of pivot means and extending outwardly away from said second
plurality of pivot means, including male fasteners disposed on adjacent
first pivot means; and
a sheet of material having indicia on one face thereof and having a width
and length substantially great enough to cover the face surface of said
section, said sheet having at one end thereof a pair of spaced openings,
each opening being dimensioned to receive a male fastener of said first
pivot means therein; and a cap means with a female fastener for
operatively engaging each male fastener and holding said sheet in
operative association with said structure, each said cap means having a
head portion substantially larger than said sheet openings.
6. A combination as recited in claim 5 wherein said structural section
comprises a first structural section, and in further combination with a
second structural section substantially identicial with said first
structural section, and having a pair of side links, first pivot means,
and second pivot means in common; and male fasteners being associated with
adjacent first pivot means of said first and second structural sections
that are in a row; and wherein said sheet of material having indicia
thereon is a first flexible sheet, and further comprising a second
flexible sheet of material substantially the same as said first sheet and
having indicia thereon; and thin flexible strips of magnetic material
disposed on the indicia-containing face of said first sheet along the edge
thereof and in a line substantially perpendicular to a line between said
fastener-receiving openings therein, and the opposite face of said second
sheet along one edge thereof and in a line substantially perpendicular to
a line between said fastener-receiving openings therein, said magnetic
strips having an attractive force between them and holding said sheets in
alignment, with overlapping edges, when said sheet openings are received
by said fasteners.
7. A combination as recited in claim 6 further comprising at least one
other of said structural sections extending away from each of said first
and second sections in a direction perpendicular to a line extending
between said face pivot means of said first and second sections adjacent
structural sections having side links and first and second pivot means in
common with said first and second sections; and wherein each of said
indicia-containing sheets has a length sufficient to substantially cover
the entire face surfaces of said first and second sections, respectively,
and said at least one other section extending from each.
8. A combination as recited in claim 5 further comprising a third
structural section substantially identical to said first and second
structural sections and having pivot means and side links in common
therewith; and wherein the side links at both the top and the bottom of
one of said structural sections are unconnected.
9. A combination as recited in claims 5 or 6 wherein said first pivot means
having said adjacent male fasteners for penetrating said sheet openings
each comprises a body with a through-extending central passageway having a
diameter D at the face of said body; said male fastener having a central
bore therethrough; a bolt having a shank diameter d less than the diameter
of said fastener central bore, and having a head with a greater diameter
than said fastener central bore, and adapted to engage said fastener when
said shank passes through said central bore; and wherein d is
significantly less than D so that the bolt shank is very loose in said
body central passageway; and wherein said bolt shank is long enough to
pass through said fastener central bore and said body central passageway;
and nut means for operatively engaging said shank and body to tightly hold
said fastener in place with respect to said body at any relative position
to which it is moved with respect to said body when said bolt head engages
said fastener and said shank passes through said central passageway.
10. A combination as recited in claims 5 or 6 further comprising means for
adjusting the position of said adjacent male fasteners with respect to
said first pivot means with which they are associated.
11. A collapsible, articulated structural assembly which is movable between
a stable erect configuration and a collapsed configuration, said structure
when in the erect configuration having a top, and a front face; a first
flexible sheet of material having indicia on one face thereof and having a
length substantially as great as the height of said assembly; a second
flexible sheet of material having indicia on one face thereof and having a
height substantially the same as the height of said assembly; means for
holding edges of said first and second sheets at the top of said assembly
so that said sheets drape to cover the face of said assembly; and thin
flexible strips of magnetic material disposed on the indicia-containing
face of said first sheet along one edge thereof, and substantially
vertically extending when attached to the top of said assembly, and on the
opposite face of said second sheet along one edge thereof adjacent said
first sheet and parallel to the magnetic strip on said first sheet, said
magnetic strips having an attractive force between them and holding said
sheets in alignment, with overlapping edges, when said sheets are draped
to cover the face of said assembly.
12. An assembly as recited in claim 11 further comprising fastening means
disposed adjacent the bottom of said assembly, and cooperating fastening
means disposed along the bottom edge face of each sheet overlaying said
assembly.
13. A collapsible, articulated structural section which is movable between
a stable erect configuration and a collapsed configuration, said structure
comprising:
a first plurality of pivot means disposed to be substantially in a first
plane in said erect configuration and to be substantially adjacent each
other in said collapsed configuration; a second plurality of pivot means
disposed to be substantially in a second plane in said erect configuration
and to be substantially adjacent each other in said collapsed
configuration; a plurality of pivotally interconnected side links for
connecting said first plurality of pivot means with said second plurality
of pivot means, each of said links being connected with one of said first
plurality of pivot means and one of said second plurality of pivot means;
a face pivot means; and a plurality of face links, each of said face links
connected with said face pivot means and with one of said first pivot
means;
a male snap fastener mounted on at least a plurality of said first
plurality of pivot means and extending outwardly away from said second
plurality of pivot means;
one pair of side links comprising bottom side links, and each of said
bottom side links having at least one male fastener extending downwardly
therefrom; and
a rod having a pair of female fasteners spaced along the length thereof a
distance corresponding to the spacing between said male fasteners and said
bottom side links when said structural section is in an erect
configuration. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Recently display frames have been commercially available that are very
worthwhile for setting up trade show displays and the like. Such display
frames have structural configurations generally as illustrated in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 4,276,726, 3,968,808, and 4,026,313. Such structures have
achieved wide commercial acceptance because they allow a wide variety of
display formats to be utilized therewith while being portable.
While such prior display frames have achieved wide commercial acceptance,
there are a few drawbacks associated therewith. Prior display frames
inherently have either a substantially planar face surface, or a
substantially arcuate face surface. There is no flexibility as to the
shape of the face surfaces associated with the structure. Also, there have
been problems with stability of prior display frames under some
circumstances (such as when supported on thick carpeting or supporting
relatively heavy displays), and the display panels attached thereto are
conventionally provided so that there is one panel for each section of the
display frame, and only one panel is attached at a time. For display
frames having nine or twelve sections, the set-up time can be quite long,
and the set up procedure fairly difficult.
According to the present invention, a display frame is provided that
overcomes the drawbacks associated with prior display frame structures, as
discussed above. While certain features of the invention may be utilized
in other structures besides display frames, a primary purpose of the
invention is to provide a display frame for use at trade shows and the
like that is quickly and easily completely assembled, is sturdy, and can
be utilized in more than one configuration.
According to the present invention, a display frame is provided which
includes at least three structural sections arranged in a row, which are
movable from a collapsible to an erect configuration. The configuration of
the display structure is such that by setting the relative orientation of
parts when in the collapsed configuration it can be moved to an erect
configuration having either an essentially planar face surface, or a
non-planar face surface. This allows a great deal of flexibility depending
upon the configuration of the display booth, the surface on which the
device is to be supported, the display graphics utilized, etc.
Additionally, the display frame according to the present invention is
constructed so that support elements may be readily and simply associated
therewith to positively and sturdily support it in its erect configuration
(whether with a planar or non-planar face surface).
According to another aspect of the present invention, display graphics are
provided for the display frame which take much less time to set up than
previous arrangements. The display graphics are provided in the form of
elongated sheets, which have a length greater than the length of a single
section of the display frame. The structures for fastening the graphics
sheet to the display frame allow the graphics to be added quickly and
easily, yet proper alignment between the various sheets of the graphics is
easily achieved.
While the present invention is primarily related to display frames for
trade shows and the like, certain aspects of the invention have
applicability to other collapsible structures and display arrangements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a single structural section which is a
basic building component for the construction of the display frame
according to the present invention, the section being illustrated in an
erect configuration;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the section of FIG. 1 but in the collapsed
configuration;
FIG. 3 is a perspective diagrammatic view of an exemplary display frame
according to the present invention constructed utilizing sections such
shown in FIG. 1 as the basic components thereof;
FIG. 4 is a schematic detail view showing unconnected side links utilized
in certain sections of the structure according to the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the display frame of FIG. 3 showing the
display frame having a planar face surface configuration;
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the structure of FIGS. 3 and 5 assuming a
non-planar face surface configuration;
FIG. 7 is a front (looking in on the face) view of the structure of FIG. 5
when in the collapsed condition;
FIG. 8 is a front view of the structure of FIG. 6 when in the collapsed
condition;
FIGS. 9 through 11 are top schematic views of various configurations the
face surface of a four-row display frame could take;
FIG. 12 is a perspective exploded view of snap fastening components
utilizable with the first pivot means of the display frame of FIGS. 1 and
3;
FIG. 13 is a detail perspective exploded view showing one type of
stabilizing component utilizable with the display frame of FIG. 1;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a stabilizing strip utilizable with the
structure of FIG. 1;
FIG. 15 is a detailed side view of one end of the structure of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a front view of an exemplary display frame with display graphics
according to the present invention disposed thereon, with one corner of
one display sheet lifted up to illustrate underlying components; and
FIG. 17 is a side view, partly in cross-section and partly in elevation, of
an exemplary mechanism for allowing adjustment of a male fastener for
hanging display sheets vis-a-vis a first pivot means.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary collapsible articulated structural
section according to the present invention, which is utilized as a basic
building component of a display frame according to the present invention.
The basic structural section as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown and
described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,276,726, the disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
A structural section illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a first plurality of
pivot means including pivot means body members 10, 12, 14, and 16, and a
second plurality of pivot means including pivot body members 20, 22, 24
and 26. The structural section further comprises a plurality of pivotally
interconnected side links for connecting the first plurality of pivot
means with the second plurality of pivot means. These links comprise
members 40, 42, 44, 46, 50, 52, 54, and 56. The pivotal connections
include pivot pins 60, 62, 64, and 66. The ends of the side links (e.g.,
40, 42) are connected to the first and second pluralities of pivot means
(e.g., 10, 12; 20, 22), preferably in the manner illustrated in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,276,726.
The structural section illustrated in FIG. 1 further includes a face pivot
means. The face pivot means can comprise a structure such as that
illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,276,726, but preferably comprises a ring
70. Pivotally connected to the ring 70 are a plurality of face links 72,
74, 76, and 78, each pivotally connected at one end thereof to the ring
70, and at the other end thereof to one of the first plurality of pivot
means (e.g., link 74 to pivot body 12). One or more locking links are also
provided. For instance for the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, three
locking links 80, 82, and 86 are provided. Each locking link is pivotally
connected at one end thereof to one of the second plurality of pivot means
(e.g., link 80 to pivot body 20), and is pivotally connected (as by a
pivot pin 90) at the other end thereof to one of the plurality of face
links intermediate its ends (e.g., locking link 80 connected by pivot pin
90 to face link 72).
What has heretofore been described is conventional.
The structural section of FIGS. 1 and 2 also comprises, according to the
present invention, a male snap fastener extending from at least some of
(and preferably all) the first pivot means. For instance, a conventional
male snap fastener 91 extends from pivot body 10, snap fastener 92 extends
from pivot body 12, snap fastener 93 extends from pivot body 14, and snap
fastener 94 extends from pivot body 16. In FIG. 12, the pivot body 10 with
male snap fastener 91 extending therefrom is shown in more detail. A cap
means 95 with a female snap fastener 96 may be provided cooperating with
the male fastener 91 (and/or every other male fastener).
According to the present invention, various stabilizing structures are also
provided, particularly for supporting the apparatus when on carpeting, or
mounting heavy components. One form the stabilizing structure can take are
the bottom support rods 97, 98, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 13. The rods
97, 98 are preferably made of aluminum tubing (like the rest of the
structure), but may be of different construction, and preferably have a
female snap fastener disposed at each of two spaced points along the
length thereof. See female snap fastener 99 in FIG. 13. Each female snap
fastener 99 is associated with a male snap fastener disposed at a
cooperating point on one of the links 50, 52 when the structure is in the
erect configuration. For instance, see male fastener 100 associated with
link 52 as illustrated in FIG. 13. By snapping the bottom support rods 97,
98 in place on the fasteners on the bottom of links 50, 52, a more stable
structure is provided.
Another form of stabilizing means, which also has other uses, is
illustrated generally by reference numeral 101 in FIGS. 14 and 15. This
structure includes a strip of rigid material having snap fasteners
disposed at spaced portions thereof. As illustrated in the drawings,
preferably the strip of rigid material is flexible since compressive
forces normally will not be exerted on the strip. For instance as
illustrated in FIG. 14, the rigid material comprises a flexible strip 102
of nylon. Female snap fasteners 103, 104 are formed at spaced portions
therealong (preferably at either end thereof), the female snap fasteners
103, 104 cooperating with the male snap fasteners (e.g., fastener 91) on
the first pivot means (e.g., first pivot body 10), and the female snap
fasteners 103, 104 are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the
spacing between adjacent male snap fasteners (e.g., 91, 92) when the
structure is in the erect configuration. In order to have more than one
strip 101 extending from a particular pivot means, a male snap fastener
105 (see FIG. 15) may extend from the opposite face of the strip 102 in
line with the female fastener 104. A female snap fastener of another strip
101 may then be snapped into engagement with the male fastener 105, and
the other end thereof to another male fastener (as on a first pivot
means).
A key feature of the display assembly according to the present
invention--which feature allows for flexibility in the configuration of
the face surface of the display frame--will now be described with respect
to FIGS. 3 through 11.
FIG. 3 shows structures substantially the same as that illustrated in FIG.
1 only disposed in three rows and two columns to provide the display
assembly. The first structural section in FIG. 3 is indicated generally by
reference numeral 108 and has the same reference numerals associated
therewith as the structure illustrated in FIG. 1. A second structural unit
is illustrated generally by reference numeral 109, this unit having the
component parts thereof labelled by the same reference numerals as the
first unit 108 only preceded by the numeral "1". A third unit is indicated
generally by the reference numeral 200. This third unit is disposed
between the units 108, 109 and has side links 44, 46, 144, 146 and first
and second pivot means 12, 110; 22, 120 associated therewith. This unit
also comprises a plurality of face links 201 through 204 and a face pivot
means 205, and also comprises first and second pairs of side links 210,
211; 212, 213, respectively which cross to define a plane substantially
perpendicular to the plane of the first surface of the unit 200 (i.e., a
plane containing the face links 201 through 204), and which side links are
not in common with the units 108, 109. The characterizing feature of this
third unit is that the links 211, 212 and the links 213, 214 thereof are
unconnected to each other, rather than being pivoted to each other as all
of the side pairs of links associated with the first and second units 108,
109. One or more locking links also are preferably associated with the
third unit 200.
With a structure constructed as indicated above, the display
assembly--shown generally by reference numeral 220 in FIGS. 3, 5, and
6--may assume more than one configuration. For instance, it can assume the
configuration illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5 wherein the face thereof is
substantially planar; or, it may be erected in the configuration
illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein the face surface is non-planar. Note that
when assembled in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 6, the lengths of
the crossed side links 211, 212 do not change (since they are of fixed
length), however, the linear distance between the pivot means 12, 110 is
reduced compared to the erected configuration of FIG. 5.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the relative configurations of FIGS. 5 and 6,
respectively, but in the collapsed configuration. As illustrated in FIG.
7, if the components of the structure are moved so that the first pivot
means 110, 12 and 14, 116 thereof are relatively close together, when the
assembly is opened in the normal manner, the erect configuration it
assumes is that of FIG. 5. However, if the assembly is in the collapsed
condition and the first pivot means 12, 110 and 14, 116 are moved closer
together, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the structure when opened in the
normal manner assumes the configuration illustrated in FIG. 6.
FIG. 3 also illustrates fourth, fifth, and sixth units indicated generally
by the reference numerals 300, 301, and 302, respectively, wherein the
unit 300 is identical to unit 108 and has first and second pivot means 14,
16, 24, 26 and side links 50, 52 in common. The fifth unit 301 is
identical to the unit 109 and has pivot means 114, 116, 124, and 126 in
common, as well as side links 166, 168. The sixth unit 302 is identical to
unit 200 also having common first and second pivot means and cross-links
213, 214 therewith. The bottom cross-links 305, 306 of the sixth unit 302
also are unconnected to each other.
Display frames according to the present invention can take a wide variety
of other forms. For instance when units are disposed so that there are
four in a row, by varying which of the units have crossed side links that
are unconnected, the configuration of the frame can be changed
substantially. For instance in the schematic illustrated in FIG. 9 (only
the face surfaces being illustrated in FIGS. 9 through 11), the center
sections 310, 311 have all the side links thereof pivotally connected,
while all the top and bottom side links of the end units 312, 313 are
unconnected (as illustrated in FIG. 4). In the FIG. 10 configuration, the
end units 312, 313 have all the side links thereof pivotally connected,
while the center units 310, 311 have unconnected top and bottom side
links. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 11, the units 311, 312,
and 313 have all the side links thereof pivotally connected, while the
section 310 has the top and bottom side links thereof unconnected. Of
course it will be seen that a wide variety of other configuration are
possible, depending upon the number of units assembled into a frame row,
the relative sizes of components of the units, etc.
Features according to the present invention which allow for the quick
assembly of graphics on the display frames are best illustrated with
respect to FIGS. 16 and 17. The graphics for the display frame are
provided in the form of sheets 400, 401 having indicia I formed on one
face thereof. The sheets have holes (see hole 402 in FIG. 17) at one edge
thereof, which edge will serve as the "top" of the sheets 400, 401. The
holes (e.g., 402) are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing
between first pivot means of the underlying display frame (e.g., 220),
with the holes dimensioned so that male fasteners, such as the male
fastener 91 illustrated in FIG. 17, will pass through the holes. Cap
means, such as the cap means 95 illustrated in FIG. 12, snap into
engagement with the male fasteners and hold the sheets 400, 401 in place
with respect to the male fasteners.
The length and width of the sheets 400, 401 are great enough to cover at
least an entire unit face (such as the face of the unit illustrated in
FIG. 1), and preferably the length is long enough so that a sheet 400, 401
will cover all of the units in a given column of the display structure.
For instance as illustrated in FIG. 16, the display unit, indicated
generally by reference numeral 404, has two rows and two columns of units,
each sheet 400, 401 being slightly wider than the width of one unit, and
being as long as or slightly longer the length of the two units in each
column.
In order to provide for proper alignment of the sheets 400, 401, the male
fastener that passes through the openings 402 (associated with a top first
pivot meaans of the display frame 404) are constructed so that the
position of the fastener vis-a-vis the first pivot means is adjustable.
For instance with respect to FIG. 17, the male fastener 91 is adjustable
in position with respect to the first pivot means body 10. This is
preferably accomplished by providing a through-extending central
passageway 410 in body 10, the passageway having a diameter D at the face
of the body 10. The male fastener 91 has a central bore 411 therethrough.
A bolt having a threaded shank 412 of diameter d (which is substantially
less than D) has a head 413 adapted to abut the fastener 91 as the shank
of the bolt 412 passes through the opening 411. Preferably the opening 411
is only slightly larger than the bolt shank 412, and smaller than the head
413, and the head 413 may be conical as illustrated in FIG. 17.
The length of the bolt shank 412 is such that when the head 413 abuts the
fastener 91 the other end of the shank 412 passes out the other side of
the body 10. Nut means are provided for operatively engaging the bolt
shank and pivot means body to tightly hold the fastener 91 in place with
respect to the body 10 in any relative position to which it is moved with
respect to the body 10 when the bolt head 413 engages the fastener 91. For
instance, the nut means may comprise a washer 415 having a larger diameter
than the diameter of the passageway 410 (and than the flared-out end of
the passageway 410--illustrated by reference numeral 410'--in the
exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17), with a central bore 416
large enough to receive bolt shank 412, and a nut 417 which threadedly
receives the shank 412.
The graphic means according to the present invention also comprises means
for holding the sheets 400, 401 in place once they are properly aligned at
the top thereof, along substantially the entire length thereof. Such means
preferably comprises thin magnetic strips of material 420, 421 as
illustrated in FIG. 16. The magnetic strips are cut from thin sheets of
magnetic material such as commercially available from Magnetic Inc. and
sold under the trade name "Ultramag". The strips 420, 421 may be held in
place by adhesive. Strip 420 is disposed along the edge of sheet 400 which
overlaps the sheet 401, and extends in a direction perpendicular to the
imaginary line between the openings 402 along the top edge of the sheet
400. The opposite polarity of a magnetic strip is faced outwardly to
provide the strip 401, and that is placed adjacent the edge of the sheet
401 closest to the sheet 400, extending in the same direction as the strip
420. Normally, the sheets 400, 401 will be rolled up, and as they are
rolled downwardly the magnetic strips 420, 421 will be brought into
engagement.
In order to hold the bottoms of the sheets 400, 401 in place, if desired
some sort of holding means may be provided along the bottoms of the
sheets, and the bottom of the display frame 404. In the exem | | |
