Foldable display system with continuous display surface

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A portable display system comprising:

a plurality of display panels having front and rear surfaces;

a plurality of vertical and horizontal frame elements defining an array of panel support frames,

each said frame element having inner and outer edges, front and rear surfaces and opposite ends,

at least said front surface of each said frame element having a front channel therein,

means joining each said frame element at its opposite ends to two perpendicularly adjacent frame elements so as to form a rectangular panel support frame;

means hingedly joining adjacent vertical frame elements of said panel support frames such that said array of support frames is reconfigurable from a folded, portable position to an unfolded, display position; and

means for releasably securing each said display panel to a panel support frame with the peripheral edges of said panel and the outer edges of said frame being in aligned registration with each other so as to provide a substantially continuous and unbroken display surface when said array of support frames is in an unfolded, display position,

said securing means including a first member located in said front channel and a second member attached to the rear surface of said display panel,

said second member adapted to seat in said front channel and being located relatiVe to the peripheral edges of said panel such that when said second member is seated in said front channel, said peripheral edges of said panel are in said aligned registration with said outer edges of said panel support frame, said first and second members being magnetically attractive to each other to releasably secure said display panel to said support frame in aligned registration therewith.

2. The display system of claim 1 wherein each said frame element has a second channel therein extending lengthwise along said outer edge thereof such that adjacent frame elements present opposing second channels and further comprising a plurality of stabilizing clips disposed in said second channels for releasably securing adjacent frame elements of adjacent panel support frames together in close abutting edge-wise relation along their outer edges by engaging said opposing second channels.

3. The display system of claim 2 wherein said frame elements are extruded aluminum and have a third channel therein extending lengthwise through the center thereof, and wherein

said joining means is an L-shaped corner key having perpendicular legs, said legs sized to fit matingly in said third channel of each of two perpendicularly adjacent frame elements to join said frame elements in 90.degree. relation to one another such that four frame elements so joined together form a rectangular panel support frame.

4. The display system of claim 1 or 3 wherein each said frame element has a fourth channel therein which extends lengthwise along said inner edge thereof, and wherein

said hinging means comprises two strips of flexible material, the ends of each of which are captured in molded plastic tab members, each said tab member of each strip fixed in a said fourth channel of adjacent frame elements of adjacent support panels such that said flexible strips are in oppositely facing S-shaped configuration when said display system is in a planar display position.

5. The display system of claim 2 wherein said second channel in each said frame element has shoulder-like flanges extending partially across the opening of said channel, said flanges having notches therein to facilitate insertion of said stabilizing clips in said second channel along said frame element without disassembly of said panel support frame.

6. The display system of claim 4 wherein each support frame has first and second vertical frame elements and first and second horizontal frame elements and further comprising a display shelf rail removably positionable in said support frame extending from said first vertical frame element to said second vertical frame element.

7. The display system of claim 6 wherein said display shelf rail has prong-like projections extending from the ends thereof and said first and second vertical frame elements have a plurality of transverse bores in said fourth channel thereof for receiving said prong-like projections such that said shelf rail can be positioned in said support frame at one of several selected positions.

8. The display system of claim 7 wherein said display shelf rail has a front surface having first and second longitudinal channels therein and means disposed between said first and second channels for releasably securing a display shelf thereto, said first and second channels having means disposed therein for releasably securing a display panel thereto.

9. The display system of claim 1 wherein said display panel securing means is a stainless steel strip disposed in said front channels which cooperate magnetically with corresponding vertical and horizontal flexible magnetic strips affixed to the display panels to releasably secure the display panels to said panel support frames.

10. The display system of claim 9 wherein each said front channel has a pair of oppositely extending flanges terminating in confronting edges, said flanges each having an inwardly facing surface which overlies said steel strip to collectively capture it, and

said confronting edges of said flanges in combination with the outer surface of said steel strip defining a display panel locating channel into which said magnetic strips are seatable to engage said stainless steel strips and secure said display panel to said support frame allowing the outer edges thereof to be in aligned registration with said outer edges of said frame elements and adjacent display panels.

11. The display system of claim 10 wherein at least one of said magnetic strips is registered with respect to a confronting edge of a corresponding locating channel to align the outer edges of said display panel and said support frame.

12. The display system of claim 10 wherein at least one of said vertical and one of said horizontal magnetic strips is registered with respect to a confronting edge of a corresponding locating channel to align the outer edges of said display panel and said support frame.

13. A portable display system comprising:

a plurality of vertical and horizontal frame elements defining an array of panel support frames, each said frame element having inner and outer edges, front and rear surfaces and opposite ends, at least said front surface of each said frame element having a front channel therein in which is disposed means for releasably securing a display panel to said frame element;

a plurality of display panels having front and rear surfaces, each said display panel corresponding to a said panel support frame and having second securing means affixed to said rear surface thereof which cooperate with said securing means in said front channels of said frame elements to releasably secure said display panels to said support frames;

means joining each said frame element at its opposite ends to two perpendicularly adjacent frame elements so as to form a panel support frame;

means hingedly joining adjacent vertical frame elements of said panel support frames such that said array of support frames is reconfigurable from a folded, portable position to an unfolded, display position;

said front channels and said securing means therein in said frame elements and said second securing means on said display panels cooperate such that the edges of each said display panel releasably secured to each panel support frame are registered with respect to said outer edges of said frame elements and adjacent display panels so as to provide a substantially continuous and unbroken display surface when said array of support frames is in an unfolded, display position.

14. The display system of claim 13 wherein each said frame element has a second channel therein extending lengthwise along said outer edge thereof such that adjacent frame elements present opposing second channels and further comprising a plurality of stabilizing clips disposed in said second channels for releasably securing adjacent frame elements of adjacent support panels together in abutting edgewise relation along their outer edges by engaging said opposing second channels.

15. The display system of claim 14 wherein said frame elements are extruded aluminum and have a third channel therein extending lengthwise through the center thereof, and

wherein said joining means is an L-shaped corner key having perpendicular legs, said legs sized to fit matingly in said third channel of each of two perpendicularly adjacent frame elements to join said frame elements in 90.degree. relation to one another such that four frame elements so joined together form a rectangular panel support frame.

16. The display system of claim 13 or 15 wherein each said frame element has a fourth channel therein which extends lengthwise along said inner edge thereof, and

wherein said hinging means comprises two strips of flexible material, the ends of each of which are captured in molded plastic tab members, each said tab member of each strip fixed in a said fourth channel of adjacent frame elements of adjacent support panels such that said flexible strips are in oppositely facing S-shaped configuration when said display system is in a planar display position.

17. The display system of claim 14 wherein said second channel in each said frame element has shoulder-like flanges extending partially across the opening of said channel, said flanges having notches therein to facilitate insertion of said stabilizing clips in said second channel along said frame element.

18. A portable display system comprising:

a plurality of rectangular display panels having front and rear surfaces,

a plurality of rectangular panel support frames defining an array thereof, each frame having inner and outer edges and front and rear surfaces,

said front surface of each panel support frame having a front channel therein,

means hingedly joining adjacent panel support frames along their vertical abutting edges when said support frames are arranged in side-by-side relation to enable said array of frames to be selectively configured between a folded, portable position and an unfolded, display position,

means releasably securing each said display panel to a panel support frame with the peripheral edges of said panel and the outer edges of said frame being in aligned registration with each other so as to provide a substantially continuous and unbroken display surface when said array of support frames is in an unfolded, display position,

said securing means including a first member located in said front channel and a second member attached to the rear surface of said display panel,

said second member adapted to seat in said front channel and being located relative to the peripheral edges of said panel such that when said second member is seated in said front channel, said peripheral edges of said panel are in said aligned registration with said outer edges of said panel support frame, said first and second members being magnetically attractive to each other to releasably secure said display panel to said support frame in aligned registration therewith.

19. Display system of claim 18 wherein each said panel support frame has channels in its inner edges and wherein said hinging means comprises a fabric band having tabs anchored to the ends thereof,

said tabs adapted to seat in said inner edge channels to permit said outer edges of adjacent support frames to closely abut.

20. The display system of claim 18 wherein said hinged vertical abutting edges have vertical slots therein and further comprising a plurality of clips disposed in said vertical slots to cause said hinged abutting vertical edges to be held in close abutment.

21. A portable display system comprising:

a plurality of rectangular display panels having front and rear surfaces,

a plurality of rectangular panel support frames defining an array thereof, each frame having inner and outer edges and front and rear surfaces,

said front surface of each panel support frame having a front channel therein,

means hingedly joining adjacent panel support frames along their vertical abutting edges when said support frames are arranged in side-by-side relation to enable said array of frames to be selectively configured between a folded, portable position and an unfolded, display position,

means releasably securing each said display panel to a panel support frame with the peripheral edges of said panel and the outer edges of said frame being in aligned registration with each other so as to provide a substantially continuous and unbroken display surface when said array of support frames is in an unfolded, display position,

said securing means including a first member located in said front channel and a second member attached to the rear surface of said display panel,

said second member adapted to seat in said front channel, said first and second members being magnetically attractive to each other to releasably secure said display panel to said support frame in aligned registration therewith.

22. A portable display frame system for use in combination with a plurality of display panels having flexible magnetic strips affixed to the rear surface thereof adjacent the peripheral edges of the panels, said frame system comprising:

a plurality of vertical and horizontal frame elements defining an array of panel support frames, each said frame element having inner and outer edges, front and rear surfaces and opposite ends, at least said front surface of each said frame element having a front channel therein in which is disposed means which cooperates with the magnetic strips on the display panels for releasably securing a display panel to a support frame;

means joining each said frame element at its opposite ends to two perpendicularly adjacent frame elements so as to form a panel support frame;

means hingedly joining adjacent vertical frame elements of said panel support frames such that said array of support frames is reconfigurable from a folded, portable position to an unfolded, display position;

said front channels and said securing means therein in said frame elements and the magnetic strips on the display panels adapted to cooperate such that the edges of the display panels releasably secured to said panel support frames can be registered and aligned with respect to said outer edges of said frame elements and adjacent display panels so as to provide a substantially continuous and unbroken display surface when said array of support frames is in an unfolded, display position.

23. The frame system of claim 22 wherein said securing means is a stainless steel strip disposed in said front channels which cooperates magnetically with corresponding vertical and horizontal flexible magnetic strips affixed to the display panels to releasably secure the display panels to said panel support frames.

24. A portable display system comprising:

a plurality of vertical and horizontal frame elements defining an array of panel support frames, each said frame element having inner and outer edges, front and rear surfaces and opposite ends, at least said front surface of each said frame element having a front channel therein for releasably securing a display panel to said frame element;

a plurality of display panels having front and rear surfaces, each said display panel corresponding to a said panel support frame and having securing means affixed to said rear surface thereof which cooperate with said front channels of said frame elements to releasably secure said display panels to said support frames;

means joining each said frame element at its opposite ends to two perpendicularly adjacent frame elements so as to form a panel support frame;

means hingedly joining adjacent vertical frame elements of said panel support frames such that said array of support frames is reconfigurable from a folded, portable position to an unfolded, display position;

said front channels and said securing means on said display panels magnetically cooperate such that the edges of each said display panel releasably secured to each panel support frame are registered with respect to said outer edges of said frame elements and adjacent display panels so as to provide a substantially continuous and unbroken display surface when said array of support frames is in an unfolded, display position.

25. A portable display system comprising:

a plurality of vertical and horizontal frame elements defining an array of panel support frames, each said frame element having inner and outer edges, front and rear surfaces and opposite ends, at least said front surface of each said frame element having a front channel therein and means associated therewith for releasably securing a display panel to said frame element;

a plurality of display panels having front and rear surfaces, each said display panel corresponding to a said panel support frame and having securing means associated with said rear surface thereof which magnetically cooperate with said securing means associated with said front surface of said frame elements to releasably secure said display panels to said support frames, said display panels also having locating means affixed to the rear surface thereof;

means joining each said frame element at its opposite ends to two perpendicularly adjacent frame elements so as to form a panel support frame;

means hingedly joining adjacent vertical frame elements of said panel support frames such that said array of support frames is reconfigurable from a folded, portable position to an unfolded, display position;

said front channels and said locating means on said display panels cooperate such that the edges of each said display panel releasably secured to each panel support frame are registered with respect to said outer edges of said frame elements and adjacent display panels so as to provide a substantially continuous and unbroken display surface when said array of support frames is in an unfolded, display position.

26. A portable display system comprising:

a plurality of rectangular display panels having front and rear surfaces;

a plurality of rectangular panel support frames defining an array thereof, each frame having inner and outer edges and front and rear surfaces;

one of said display panel rear surface and said panel support frame front surface including means defining at least one vertical channel and one horizontal channel, and the other of said display panel rear surface and said panel support frame front surface including vertical and horizontal locating means adapted to seat in said vertical and horizontal channels, said locating means and said channels cooperating such that the peripheral edges of each said panel and the outer edges of each said frame are in aligned registration with each other;

means hingedly joining adjacent panel support frames along their vertical abutting edges when said support frames are arranged in side-by-side relation to enable said array of frames to be selectively configured between a folded, portable position and an unfolded, display position;

means releasably securing each said display panel to a panel support frame with the peripheral edges of said panel and the outer edges of said frame being in aligned registration with each other so as to provide a substantially continuous and unbroken display surface when said array of support frames is in an unfolded, display position;

said securing means including a first member located on said support frame and a second member on said display panel rear surface, said first and second members cooperating to secure each said panel to a support frame.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable, foldable display system, and more particularly, to a display system that is easily foldable from a large display size to a convenient portable size, and which is adapted to provide a substantially continuous, unbroken display surface when unfolded with the display panel support frames which support the display panels being substantially concealed by the display panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable display systems are used extensively at trade shows as well as in other commercial and business settings for product promotion, information and advertising. The known portable display frames are foldable for compact transport and reconfigurable or unfoldable to a display position. An example of this type of portable display system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,436,135. Generally, in portable display systems of this type, a plurality of display panels are individually mounted for display by separate rectangular frames which are hinged together to collectively provide a large display area when the frames are unfolded. The individual display panels are gripped at their outer edges by inner edges of the rectangular frames which typically have a channel configuration into which the display panel edges seat to afford a secure mounting for the display panels. Each display panel, when secured within its respective rectangular frame, has the appearance of a "framed" picture due to the substantial width of each of the four sides of the rectangular frame which are entirely visible when the display panel is mounted within the rectangular frame. Collectively, the display panels, when mounted in their respective rectangular frames, resemble a group of "framed" pictures which are hinged together along the outer edges of their respective rectangular mounting frames.

A serious disadvantage of the foregoing display system is that when it is unfolded and erected into its display position, the plurality of panels which make up the display surface are separated by a grid pattern of frame members, providing a visually disrupted display surface. An additional problem with this type of display system involves the removal and replacement of the display panels when it is desired to change the display, which is not a simple task since each panel is seated or captured at its outer edges within the channels of its associated frame. Removal and/or replacement of display panels requires disassembly and reassembly of the panel frames and thus is not conducive to a rapid, on-site change of display.

Another type of known display system has a plurality of support members pivotally joined to one another to provide a collapsible articulated structure that is portable. Display systems of this general type are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,471,548 and 4,658,560. These display systems utilize magnetic strips to affix display panels to the display framework; however, the display panels either lie in overlapping edgewise relation to one another or are spaced apart along their vertical edges, thus leaving the frame members visible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art display systems by providing a foldable and portable display system which is reconfigurable from a folded portable position to an unfolded display position and which is adapted to display a substantially continuous, unbroken graphic or display surface consisting of a plurality of individual display panels (or one or more display sheets) secured to the frames in a manner to permit the individual panels to be in edgewise abutting relationship to each other, to thereby conceal the hinged mounting frames and which are easily removable and/or replaceable for an aesthetically pleasing display.

In a preferred embodiment, the portable display system of the present invention consists of a vertical and horizontal array of rectangular frames which are hinged together along their vertical edges. Each rectangular frame includes four frame elements or sides, which are preferably extruded aluminum or some other relatively lightweight material. The four sides are joined together using corner-key members at mitered corner joints to form individual rectangular display panel support frames for supporting individual display panels. As noted, the support frames are hingedly connected to one another along their vertical sides, as will be more fully described hereinafter, to provide a foldable, portable display system.

Each of the four frame side members of a rectangular panel support frame has front and rear surfaces and inner and outer edges. The outer edges are those on the outer periphery of the support frames and the inner edges are those on the inner periphery of the support frames. The front surfaces of the four frame side members preferably lie in a single plane, collectively defining a flat rectangular annular front frame surface defined by the inner and outer edges of the four frame side members. The rear surfaces of the four frames side members preferably lie in a single plane, collectively defining a flat rectangular annular rear frame surface defined by the inner and outer edges of the four frame side members. Each frame element further includes a channel extending lengthwise along its front surface in which is disposed means for releasably securing the rear surface of a display panel to the front of the support frame. In addition, the rectangular annular support frame may have such a rectangular channel in its rear rectangular annular surface, as well as its front surface, to permit attachment of both front and rear display panels for two-sided displays. Preferably, the securing means disposed within the rectangular channels in the front and rear annular surfaces are stainless steel (or other magnetically attractable) strips located along the bottom of the channel the edges of which are captured by flanges defining the channels, leaving exposed a substantial portion of the surface of the stainless steel strips. Thus, when the four frame side elements are joined at their corners to form a rectangular panel support frame, there is a rectangular channel in the front (and rear) rectangular annular surface of the support frames having at the bottom thereof the exposed magnetically attractable strip captured therein. For reasons to become apparent hereafter, a substantial portion of the channel above (in the direction normal to the front and rear annular surfaces) the magnetically attractable strips remains empty or unfilled by the strips, effectively leaving a rectangular shallow channel of finite depth above the strips.

The display panels or graphic panels which are used in combination with the panel support frames preferably are made of a thin flexible sheet material and have substantially the same vertical and horizontal dimensions as the exterior dimensions of the support frames such that when a display panel is releasably secured to the front surface of a support frame the support frame is substantially concealed. The display panels are preferably releasably secured to the support frames with the panel edges and support frame outer edges aligned, by means of flexible magnetic strips affixed (with adhesive, for example) to the rear surface of each display panel. When the panel edges and support frame outer edges are in alignment, each magnetic strip is positioned to correspond to overlie and seat in a channel in its respectively associated frame element and thereby magnetically cooperate with the stainless steel strip in the channel to releasably secure the display panel to the support frame. By using magnetic strips which are pre-positioned on the display panels to cooperate with the channels in the frame elements when the edges of the display panels and frame elements are initially set-up, the display panels can be registered or aligned with respect to the edges of the panel support frame itself and other adjacent display panels when subsequently reassembled thereon.

In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic strips on the display panels do not completely fill the channels in the support frames; i.e., the strips are narrower than the channels. This provides some tolerance so that a person assembling the display system can adjust the display panels relative the display frames to accommodate various discrepancies in the display frames which may occur when the system is set-up. For example, adjustments may need to be made when the leg levelers for the display system are not set properly so that adjacent panels are not correctly aligned, or when the support frame corners are not perfectly square, as may occur after repeated use. In these and other situations, the panels can be adjusted relative the frames while maintaining the magnetic strips in the channe