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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various forms of modular panelized apparatus for use in constructing
temporary display and like structures are known. Typically, such apparatus
includes a number of sheet-like panels and compatible framing members
adapted for assembling the panels in various relations to one another to
provide the desired structure. This general type of modular apparatus
finds greatest application in the construction of temporary booths,
exhibits, showcases, partitions and like display structures and fixtures
as are used at exhibitions and trade shows as well as in many retail sales
establishments. Perhaps the single most important characteristic desirable
in such modular structures is the capability for quick and simple assembly
and disassembly so as to best facilitate their usual temporary use. While
considerable effort has been devoted in the past to the designing of
modular apparatus with this capability, conventional apparatus of this
type utilize screws or similar means of fixing adjacent panels to one
another and therefore still require a relatively considerable amount of
time using appropriate hand tools for assembly and disassembly.
One conventional type of modular apparatus is manufactured by Daymond
Limited, Mississauga, Canada, under the trade designation "The Daymond
Modular System". Basically, this apparatus utilizes a particular system of
framing members fitted about the side edges of each panel in combination
with channel members adapted for connecting adjacent panels along
contiguous side edges thereof. For this purpose, the frame members of each
panel bordering the non-contiguous side edges are arranged to extend flush
with the contiguous side edges and are respectively provided with a pair
of pivoted jaw members movable toward and away from one another by an
actuating screw extending through one jaw member such that the jaw members
may be inserted into a channel of the respective connecting channel member
and brought into interior gripping engagement therewith by appropriate
operation of the actuating screw. This apparatus is not known to be
disclosed in or otherwise the subject of any existing patent. This
apparatus has been relatively well accepted in the trade and has met with
moderately good commercial success but nevertheless is generally
considered to suffer the same basic disadvantages of preceding comparable
apparatus in that the apparatus offers little improvement in the ease and
speed of assembly over other conventional apparatus. Specifically, in
assembling and disassembling any given arrangement of panels utilizing the
Daymond apparatus, it is necessary to manipulate at least four different
screws in the bordering framework of each intermediate panel and at least
two screws in the bordering framework or each end panel. Accordingly, in
the construction of a typical booth, other enclosure, exhibit or other
display of the type and size commonly used at trade shows and exhibits,
the assembly and disassembly thereof may require several hours to arrange
and complete. A comparable period of time would be necessary to assemble
and disassemble each showcase or other store fixture of the type
ordinarily employed in retail establishments, whereby a rearrangement of
store floor displays may require many man hours to complete. Therefore,
this apparatus still falls far short of the flexibility in use of such
display framing apparatus desired and needed in the present state of this
art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In contrast, the present invention provides a significant and substantial
improvement in display framing apparatus of the basic type of the
above-described Daymond system. It is a primary object of the present
invention to provide an assembly arrangement in such type of display
framing apparatus adapted for quick and simple connection and
disconnection of framing members which does not employ screws, bolts or
similar fasteners and which does not require the use of any tools at all.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such an improved
display framing apparatus which may be substantially completed in
disassembled form in advance of use for any particular desired arrangement
of display panels and which will facilitate the assembly and disassembly
of the arrangement at the point of use usually in a matter of minutes.
Most basically, the display framing apparatus of the present invention
utilizes two types of frame members. One frame member is formed to define
an outwardly opening channel thereon. The other frame member includes a
pair of opposed jaw members movably arranged thereon for relative movement
toward and away from one another between a released position wherein the
jaw members are disposed relatively adjacent one another for insertion
into and removal from the channel and an engaged position wherein the jaw
members are disposed relatively spaced from one another for gripping
engagement interiorly of the channel. A jaw operating member is slidably
movable intermediately of the jaw members and compatably profiled
therewith so as to permit the jaw members to move to their released
position in a jaw releasing position of the operating member and for
moving the jaw members to and maintaining them in their engaged position
in a jaw engaging position of the operating member. In this manner,
connection and disconnection of the frame members is accomplished rapidly
and without tools essentially only by sliding movement of the jaw
operating member.
In the preferred embodiment, an appropriate plurality of the
second-mentioned frame member are employed for bordering certain side
edges of plural display panels to be arranged in a display assembly with
an appropriate plurality of the first-mentioned frame member being
provided for connecting the plural panels in their desired arrangement.
The second frame members are tubular and carry their jaw members and jaw
operating member interiorly thereof with the jaw members extending
outwardly from the ends of the tubular frame members. The jaw members of
each pair thereof are pivotably connected with one another for relative
pivotal movement. The associated jaw operating member is disposed between
the jaw members for operating movement toward and away from the pivot axis
thereof. A control member extends outwardly from the jaw operating member
through aligned openings in one jaw member and in the tubular frame member
for manual actuation of its operative sliding movement.
Each pair of jaw members includes opposed facing surfaces having
inwardly-extending opposed engaging portions at the distal ends thereof
from their pivot axis defining a spacing between the jaw members. The jaw
operating member is a slide member slidably disposed between the jaw
members and dimensioned to be contained substantially in the spacing
therebetween in the jaw releasing position of the slide member so as to
permit the engaging portions of the jaw members to move substantially
together and alternatively to be engaged between the engaging portions in
the jaw engaging position of the slide member to move the jaw members
apart. The engaging portions of the jaw members and the slide member are
compatibly tapered for cammed movement of the jaw members from their
released position to their engaged position upon the aforesaid movement of
the slide member.
The first frame member includes inwardly-projecting opposed lips along the
opposite sides of its channel and the jaw members include outwardly-facing
grooves adapted to engage with the lips.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display assembly constructed utilizing
the display framing apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view of a portion of the display
assembly of FIG. 1 looking along the arrow 2 therein, illustrating the
connection of frame members and their respective panels;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternate form of connecting frame
member for joining adjacent panels;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of one end of one panel frame member
having pivoted jaw members;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken longitudinally through a panel frame
member of the type of FIG. 4 and transversely through a mating channel
frame member showing them in disassembled condition; and
FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5 showing the panel frame member
and the channel frame member in assembled relation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now in greater detail to the accompanying drawings, a
representative display assembly of the type which ordinarily is employed
as an exhibit at an exhibition or trade show is indicated generally at 10
in FIG. 1. Basically, the display assembly 10 includes five display panels
12,14 bordered and joined together in the illustrated assembly by the
display framing apparatus of the present invention. Such display framing
apparatus includes panel frame members 16,18 bordering each panel 12,14
along its side edges and connecting frame members 20,22 joining the
assemblies of the panels 12,14 and panel frame members 16,18 in
side-by-side relation along contiguous side edges thereof. For convenient
shorthand reference, an assembly of a panel 12,14 with its panel frame
members 16,18 will hereinafter be designated as a "panel assembly".
The panels 12,14 constitute planar sheets of generally any desired
material, size, and shape. As will be understood, the panel material
employed will depend upon the desired end use of the panel assembly.
Typically, a lightweight material is preferred to best facilitate ease of
handling of the panels 12,14 in assembly and disassembly thereof as well
as in transportation and storage thereof. For this purpose, the panels
12,14 may be constructed of a styrofoam core having a decorate coating
such as a fabric or the like adhered or otherwise affixed thereto.
Alternatively, the panels 12,14 may be of glass, plastic or another
transparent or translucent material. Preferably, the panels 12,14 are
rectangular or square in shape for greater versatility and
interchangeability in their use. For convenience, it is also preferred
that the panels 12,14 be relatively small in size again for purposes of
convenience and ease in the handling of the panels.
The panel frame members 16,18 are best seen in FIG. 2. For each panel
12,14, two panel frame members 16 and two panel frame members 18 are
employed, the panel frame members 16 being arranged along the vertical
side edges of the respective panel and the panel frame members 18 being
arranged along the horizontal side edges thereof. Each panel frame member
16 is of a U-shaped configuration including spaced, parallel side walls 24
joined in such relation by a web portion 26 extending therebetween thereby
forming a channel 28. Each panel frame member 18 includes a rectangular
tubular portion 30 with integrally-formed wall portions 32 extending from
one shorter side of the rectangular tubular portion 30 in coplanar
relation with the larger sides thereof and thereby being in spaced
parallel relation defining a channel 34. The respective channels 28,34 of
the panel frame members 16,18 are configured and dimensioned to receive
snuggly the respective side edges of a panel 12,14 and the respective
channel defining walls 24,32 of the panel frame members 16,18 are provided
with interior flanges 36,38 forming inner passageways 40,42 for receiving
angular connectors 45 adapted to be secured to the panel frame members
16,18 by allen screws 44 for rigidly affixing the panel frame members
16,18 about a panel 12,14 with the vertical panel frame members 16
extending between the horizontal panel frame members 18 and with the ends
of the horizontal panel frame members 18 flush with the webs 26 of the
horizontal panel frame members 18, all as more fully described and
illustrated in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 369,746, filed
Apr. 19, 1982, entitled PANEL FRAME. The panel frame member 16,18 are
formed respectively as integral units preferably of a relatively
lightweight metal material, such as aluminum extrusions.
According to the present invention, the horizontal tubular panel frame
members 18 and the connecting frame members 20,22 are constructed with
compatible connecting elements adapted for quick and simple connection and
disconnection of the panel assemblies and the connecting frame members
20,22. The connecting frame members 20,22 are adapted to extend vertically
intermediate contiguous vertical sides of panel assemblies to be joined
adjacently in side-by-side relation and are adapted to be connected with
the horizontal panel frame members 18 of such panel assemblies.
Each connecting frame member 20,22 is unitarily formed such as by aluminum
extrusion to be of a length corresponding to the desired height of the
connected panel assemblies. Each connecting frame member 20,22 is
constructed to include at least two longitudinal trackways 46 defining two
or more U-shaped channels 48. Varying types of connecting frame members of
this basic construction having different numbers of trackways 46 and
channels 48 at varying orientations are contemplated to facilitate the
connection of panel assemblies in varying desired angular relations to one
another.
The connecting frame member 20, best seen in FIG. 2, is adapted for joining
up to four panel assemblies in respective perpendicular "X" relation. The
connecting frame member 20 includes two trackways 46 each having two
parallel spaced side walls 50 with an intermediate connecting web 52, the
two trackways 46 being arranged in opposed spaced outwardly opening
relation with their respective webs 52 inwardly parallel and a wall 54
extending perpendicularly between the webs 52. In this manner, each of the
two trackways 46 defines a channel 48 and the webs 52 and the intermediate
wall 54 define two additional channels 48A. Each side wall 50 is provided
on its interior surface with an inwardly projecting lip 56 extending
adjacently along the outward edge of the wall 50. Similarly, the outward
edges of the webs 52 are each provided with inwardly projecting lips 58.
The connecting frame member 22 is best seen in FIG. 3 and includes two
longitudinal trackways 46, each including two side walls 50 and a
connecting web 52, which trackways 46 are joined by a semi-cylindrical web
portion 60 with their respective channels 48 opening in 90 degree relation
to one another. In this manner, the connecting frame member 22 is adapted
for joining two panel assemblies in perpendicular "L" relation to one
another. As with the connecting frame member 20, each side wall 50 of each
trackway 46 is interiorly provided with an inwardly extending lip 58 along
its outward edge.
The construction of the tubular horizontal panel frame members 18 is best
understood with reference to FIG. 4 wherein one end of one such panel
frame member 18 is illustrated in exploded form. A movable jaw
arrangement, generally indicated at 62, is received in the tubular portion
30 of each tubular panel frame member 18 at each end thereof which is
intended to be joined with a connecting frame member 20,22. Thus, for
example, the tubular panel frame members 18 bordering the panels 12 of
FIG. 1 would include a jaw arrangement 62 within each end of their tubular
portions 30, while the tubular panel frame members 18 bordering the panel
14 of FIG. 1 would only have one jaw arrangement in the rearward end of
their tubular portions 30, as viewed in FIG. 1.
Each jaw arrangement 62 includes two generally flat planar jaw members
64,66. The jaw member 64 has an enlarged base portion 68 along one end
edge thereof transversely through which is formed a cylindrical recessed
opening 70. The jaw member 66 has a cylindrical body portion 72 formed
along one end edge thereof. The cylindrical body portion 72 of the jaw
member 66 and the cylindrical recess of the jaw member 64 are compatibly
configured and dimensioned for sliding receipt of the body portion 72
axially in the cylindrical recess 70 for providing pivotal assembly of the
jaw members 64,66 along respective ends thereof for relative pivotal
movement thereof toward and away from one another.
The jaw members 64,66 are configured and dimensioned to be slidably
received lengthwise in the tubular portion 30 of a panel frame member 18.
The cylindrical body portion 22 of the jaw member 66 has a threaded axial
bore 74 formed in one end thereof which aligns with an opening 76 in one
side wall of the tubular portion 30 of the panel frame member 18 for
affixation of the pivoted assembly of the jaw members 64,66 longitudinally
within an end thereof by a screw 75 with the free ends of the jaw members
64,66 extending outwardly to partially project from the open end of the
tubular portion 30.
Each jaw member has a groove formed transversely across its outward surface
along its projecting end, the groove 78 being shaped to receive neatly a
lip 50 or 52 of a connecting frame member 20,22. The projecting ends of
the jaw members 64,66 have inwardly projecting tapered engaging portion 80
adapted to restrict pivotal movement of the jaw members 64,66 toward one
another so that a spacing 82 is defined between the jaw members 64,66 in
their inwardly pivoted position.
A slide member 84 is received in the spacing 82 between the jaw members
64,66. The slide member 84 includes an enlarged base portion 86 from which
extends toward the free ends of the jaw members 64,66 a slightly, tapered
tongue portion 88 having a rounded end edge 90. A threaded bore 92 is
formed through the base portion 86 of the slide member 84 and receives a
threaded screw 94 which extends outwardly through aligned enlarged
openings 96,98 respectively in the jaw member 64 and the adjacent side
wall of the tubular portion 30 of the panel frame member 18. A washer 97
is preferably provided between the head 94' of the screw 94 and the outer
surface of the tubular portion 30. Thus, it will be understood that the
screw 94 permits manual actuation of sliding movement of the slide member
84 within the spacing 82 toward and away from the pivot axis between the
jaw members 64,66 generally in a plane intersecting such axis by manual
manipulation of the exteriorly-disposed head 94' of the screw 94.
The slide member 84 is compatibly configured with the facing surfaces of
the jaw members 64,66 and the spacing 82 therebetween and is of a
longitudinal dimension for being contained substantially entirely within
the spacing 82 and thereby to permit the jaw members 64,66 to pivot toward
one another with their inwardly projecting engaging portions 80
substantially together. In such pivoted condition of the jaw members
64,66, herein designated as their released position, the projecting ends
of the jaw members 64,66 are of a sufficiently small overall dimension in
the arc of their pivotal movement so as to be adapted to be readily moved
into and out of any channel 48 of a connecting frame member 20,22 (see
FIG. 5). Upon actuation of sliding movement of the slide member 84
outwardly of the tubular portion 30 of the tubular panel frame member 18,
the rounded end edge 90 of the tongue portion 88 of the slide member 84 is
caused to engage the tapered surfaces 80A of the engaging portions 80 of
the jaw members 64,66 and to move therebetween causing cammed movement of
the jaw members 64,66 apart. The thickness and the tapered nature of the
tongue portion 88 is such that this described sliding movement thereof
causes the jaw members 64,66 to move apart to a sufficient extent for
grippingly engaging snuggly the interior wall surfaces of the side walls
50 of a channel 48 with the lips 56 or 58 thereof engaged in the grooves
78 of the jaw members 64,66. This outwardly pivoted condition of the jaw
members 64,66 is herein designated as their engaged position.
The operation of the present invention for assembly and disassembly of the
connecting frame members 20,22 and associated panel assemblies will thus
be understood. The connection of any panel assembly with any connecting
frame member 20,22 requires only the manual arrangement of one selected
channel 48 of the connecting frame member 20,22 and one selected vertical
side of the panel assembly is adjacent facing relation, the manual
manipulation thereof to effect insertion into the channel of the jaw
arrangements 62 in the ends of the tubular panel frame members 18 at such
side of the panel assembly while in their released position, and the
manual manipulation of the screw head 94' of the jaw arrangements 62 to
cause sliding movement of the slide members 84 thereof outwardly between
the jaw members 64,66 thereof to move them into their engaged positions
gripping the interior wall surfaces of the side walls 50 defining the
channel 48. Similarly, the disassembly of any panel assembly from any
connecting frame member 20,22 to which it has been so connected requires
only the manual manipulation of the screw heads 94' in a reverse fashion
to move their associated slide members 84 fully inwardly within the
spacings 82 between their associated jaw members 64,66 to permit the jaw
members 64,66 to pivot inwardly to their released position which in turn
permits manual separation of the connecting frame member 20,22 and the
associated panel frame members 18 of the panel assembly.
The advantages of the present invention also will thus be understood. For
any given display assembly, such as the assembly 10 of FIG. 1, the
constituent panel assemblies of individual panels 12,14 and their
bordering panel frame members 16,18 may be constructed and preassembled in
advance of the intended use of the display assembly without haste as time
permits and requires. Similarly, the necessary connecting frame members
20,22 may be prepared in advance. The preassembled panel assemblies and
preselected connecting frame members 20,22 may then be readily stored and
transported in their thusly prepared, disassembled form for later assembly
at the desired place and time of use, e.g., a trade show or exhibition.
The assembly of each panel assembly with its preselected associated
connecting frame member or members 20,22 in the above-described fashion
requires only a matter of seconds, whereby the structure of a relatively
large display assembly may readily and easily be erected by one or two
persons in a matter of minutes. Should movement or rearrangement of the
display assembly be desirable or required during the course of its use,
such changes may readily be made with only minimal interruption of the
display. The disassembly of the display assembly and readying thereof for
storage and/or transportation may similarly be quickly and simply
completed. Notably, no tools of any sort are required for the assembly and
disassembly of the present invention, except of course in the
preassembling of the panel assemblies. These advantages of the present
invention are to be contrasted with prior art display framing apparatus
such as the aforementioned Daymond Modular System which requires the use
of a screwdriver for completing the connection and disconnection of each
associated jaw arrangement and connecting frame member of the system. In
light of the fact that even relatively simple display assemblies employing
display framing apparatus of the basic type of the present invention and
the Daymond system will ordinarily require a relatively large number of
individual connections of this sort, it will be readily understood that
the present invention facilitates assembly and disassembly of such
apparatus in a mere fraction of the time which would be required for
assembly and disassembly of the same display assembly employing the
Daymond system.
The present invention has been described in detail above for purposes of
illustration only and is not intended to be limited by this description or
otherwise to exclude any variation or equivalent arrangement that would be
apparent from, or reasonably suggested by the foregoing disclosure to the
skill of the art.
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