Abstract:
A portable display frame includes a support frame and improved telescoping support bars. Each of the improved telescoping support bars includes a pass-through engaging slot on a first telescoping support bar section and an easily replaceable attachment projection member on a last telescoping support bar section. Known support bars require flexing the support bar to pass a closed end engaging slot on the first telescoping support bar section past a middle engaging hub, often resulting in damage to the telescoping support bar. The pass-through engaging slot of the present invention passes over the middle engaging hub without requiring flexing. Further, attachment projections on known support bars have broken and required time consuming repair or replacement of the support bar, often at an inconvenient time and location. The replaceable attachment projection member allows simple and easy repair when the attachment projections break.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to elements of portable displays and in particular to an improved telescoping support bar which reduces the likelihood of damage during assembly. 
         [0002]    Portable display frames are used commonly for displays used in business presentations and trade shows. Generally, display panels are attached to the portable display frames. The portable display frames are made to be light weight, to allow fast assembly, and to be easily transportable, for example, by car or aircraft. Because the portable display frames are often assembled on-site by a salesman or presenter, the assembly should be simple and require little to no instruction. Because a presenter or salesman may not have assistance in the transport and/or assembly of the portable display frames, and may only have a brief time to assemble the portable display frames, ease of assembly is an important feature. The presentation may also be adversely affected if the display appears flimsy or is not squared with the floor and/or walls. As a result, it is important that the portable display frames are sturdy and may be properly assembled with little instruction or assistance. 
         [0003]    A portable display frame is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,051 for “PORTABLE DISPLAY FRAME WITH TELESCOPING SUPPORT BARS.” The portable display frame of the &#39;051 patent provides a portable display frame which is easy and quick to assemble, sturdy and portable. The portable display of the &#39;051 patent includes a support frame, vertical support bars attached to the support frame, and display panels attached to the vertical support bars. The vertical support bars each comprise a plurality of individual bars which telescope into one another for ease of storage and transport. As the bars are telescopically expanded, unique connection pieces cause each of the inner bars to snap forward to provide a smooth support surface for the display panels disposed in a single plane. The &#39;051 patent is herein incorporated by reference. 
         [0004]    Unfortunately, use of the portable display frame of the &#39;051 patent has demonstrated two weaknesses. A pair of attachment projections  98  at the top of the vertical support bars have broken. Because the attachment projections are an integral part of the third (or top) bar  50  of the vertical support bars, the entire third bar must be replaced, and is often unavailable when needed. Additionally, the engagement of the first (or bottom) bar  12  to the support frame requires that the first bar be pulled away from the support frame after the second and third bars have been engaged. Such pulling away has resulted in breaking or bending some vertical support bars which are constructed to have minimum weight. Either damage described above may present a major problem at a trade show or any presentation where a professional presentation is of vital importance, and replacement parts may not be available locally. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing a portable display frame which includes a support frame and improved telescoping support bars. Each of the improved telescoping support bars includes a pass-through engaging slot on a first telescoping support bar section and an easily replaceable attachment projection member on a last telescoping support bar section. Known support bars require flexing the support bar to pass a closed end engaging slot on the first telescoping support bar section past a middle engaging hub, often resulting in damage to the telescoping support bar. The pass-through engaging slot of the present invention passes over the middle engaging hub without requiring flexing. Further, attachment projections on known support bars have broken and required time consuming repair or replacement of the support bar, often at an inconvenient time and location. The replaceable attachment projection member allows simple and easy repair when the attachment projections break. 
         [0006]    In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable display frame having an improved telescoping vertical support bar. The display frame comprises a support frame and telescoping vertical support bars. The support frame includes horizontally spaced apart sets of vertically spaced apart engaging hubs on a support frame front. The telescoping vertical support bars include a bottom telescoping support bar section and a top telescoping support bar section, the support bar sections having a rear face and a front face. Vertically spaced apart engaging slots reside on the rear face of the support bar members, the engaging slots are shaped to receive the engaging hubs to attach the support bars to the support frame. The engaging slots comprise a pass-through engaging slot residing on each bottom telescoping support bar member and a closed end engaging slot residing on each top telescoping support bar member. A removable and replaceable attachment projection member includes attachment projections and resides on the front face of the support bars for attaching panel boards to the front faces of the support bars. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0007]    The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a portable display system including improved telescoping vertical support bars according to the present invention attached to a support frame. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3A  is a front view of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3B  is a side view of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4A  is a front view of a bottom telescoping support bar section of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4B  is a side view of the bottom telescoping support bar section of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4C  is a bottom view of the bottom telescoping support bar section of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5A  is a front perspective view of the bottom telescoping support bar section of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5B  is a rear perspective view of the bottom telescoping support bar section of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6A  is a front view of a middle telescoping support bar section of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of the middle telescoping support bar section of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6C  is a rear view of the middle telescoping support bar section of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6D  is a bottom view of the middle telescoping support bar section of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7A  is a front perspective view of the middle telescoping support bar section of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7B  is a rear perspective view of the middle telescoping support bar section of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8A  is a front view of a top telescoping support bar section of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8B  is a side view of the top telescoping support bar section of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8C  is a rear view of the top telescoping support bar section of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8D  is a bottom view of the top telescoping support bar section of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9A  is a front perspective view of the top telescoping support bar section of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9B  is a rear perspective view of the top telescoping support bar section of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0029]      FIG. 10A  is a front perspective view of a first engaging hub for attaching the support bar to the support frame. 
           [0030]      FIG. 10B  is a front perspective view of a second engaging hub for attaching the support bar to the support frame. 
           [0031]      FIG. 11A  is a front view of a lower middle engaging slot member of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0032]      FIG. 11B  is a side view of the lower middle engaging slot member of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0033]      FIG. 11C  is a bottom view of the lower middle engaging slot member of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0034]      FIG. 12A  is a front perspective view of the lower middle engaging slot member of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0035]      FIG. 12B  is a rear perspective view of the lower middle engaging slot member of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0036]      FIG. 13A  is a front view of an upper middle engaging slot member of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0037]      FIG. 13B  is a side view of the upper middle engaging slot member of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0038]      FIG. 13C  is a bottom view of the upper middle engaging slot member of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0039]      FIG. 14A  is a front perspective view of the upper middle engaging slot member of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0040]      FIG. 14B  is a rear perspective view of the upper middle engaging slot member of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0041]      FIG. 15A  is a front view of an upper engaging slot member of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0042]      FIG. 15B  is a side view of the upper engaging slot member of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0043]      FIG. 15C  is a bottom view of the upper engaging slot member of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0044]      FIG. 16A  is a front perspective view of the upper engaging slot member of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0045]      FIG. 16B  is a rear perspective view of the upper engaging slot member of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0046]      FIG. 17A  is a front view of an attachment projection member of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0047]      FIG. 17B  is a side view of the attachment projection member of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0048]      FIG. 17C  is a bottom view of the attachment projection member of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0049]      FIG. 18A  is a front perspective view of the attachment projection member of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
           [0050]      FIG. 18B  is a rear perspective view of the attachment projection member of the improved telescoping vertical support bar. 
       
    
    
       [0051]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0052]    The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing one or more preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims. 
         [0053]    A portable display system  20  including display panels  30  mounted to improved telescoping vertical support bars  10  according to the present invention is shown attached to a support frame  100  in  FIG. 1 . One telescoping vertical support bar  10  is shown in solid lines with the display panels  30  cut away, and the remaining telescoping vertical support bars  10  are shown as dashed lines. The support frame  100  is generally a foldable or assembleable frame, for example, with vertical “X” members  102  and horizontal “X” members  110 . Engaging hubs  120   a - 120   d  reside on a support frame front  100   a  and cooperate with the support bars  10  to attach the support bars  10  to the display frame  100 . The support bars  10  preferably are telescoping and more preferably comprise three telescoping support bar sections  12 ,  14 , and  16 . The improved support bars  10  according to the present invention provide easier repair and reduce the likelihood of damage. Such improved support bars  10  may be used with any support frame having suitable engaging hubs. 
         [0054]    While telescoping vertical support bars are shown in  FIG. 1 , telescoping support bars according to the present invention may also be attached horizontally to a suitable support frame and such horizontal arrangement is intended to come within the scope of the present invention. Such horizontal support bars may include a top horizontal support bar with horizontally spaced apart attachment projections (see  FIG. 18   a ) residing along the length of the top horizontal support bar. Further, while a telescoping support bar is described herein, a support assembled from segments may also be made having the features of the present invention, and such assembled support bar is intended to come within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0055]    A perspective view of the improved telescoping vertical support bar  10  is shown in  FIG. 2 , a front view of the improved telescoping vertical support bar  10  is shown in  FIG. 3A , and a side view of the improved telescoping vertical support bar  10  is shown in  FIG. 3B . The improved telescoping vertical support bar  10  comprises three telescoping support bar sections, a bottom (or first) telescoping support bar section  12 , a middle telescoping support bar section  14 , and a top (or last) telescoping support bar section  16 . A telescoping support bar is either preferred or required in many instances to allow shipment of the display frame. Generally, a three section support bar is preferred, but a support bar with more or less sections also benefits from the present invention. The display panels  30  mount against a front face  10   a  of the support bar  10 . 
         [0056]    An attachment projection member  60  (see  FIGS. 17A-18B ), including attachment projections  62  for attaching the panel boards  30  to the front faces  10   a  of the support bars  10 , reside on a top front surface of the support bars  10 . An upper engaging slot member  50  (see  FIGS. 15A-16B ), for engaging the support frame  100 , reside on a top front surface of the support bars  10 . An upper middle engaging slot member  40  (see  FIGS. 13A-14B ), for engaging the support frame  100 , reside on a front surface of the support bars  10  below the upper engaging slot member  50 . The engaging slot members  50  and  40 , along with an engaging slot member  30  not visible in  FIG. 3B , include engaging slots spaced away from the telescoping support bar sections to be aligned in a vertical plane for engagement with the support frame  100 . 
         [0057]    A front view of the bottom telescoping support bar section  12  of the improved telescoping vertical support bar  10  is shown in  FIG. 4A , a side view of the bottom telescoping support bar section  12  is shown in  FIG. 4B , a bottom view of the bottom telescoping support bar section is shown in  FIG. 4C , a front perspective view of the bottom telescoping support bar section  12  is shown in  FIG. 5A , and a rear perspective view of the bottom telescoping support bar section is shown in  FIG. 5B . The bottom telescoping support bar section  12  includes a bottom engaging slot  18   a  for cooperation with a bottom engaging hub  120   a  (see  FIG. 1 ), and a first support bar mouth  20   a  for receiving the middle telescoping support bar  14 . The bottom engaging slot  18   a  is an open ended pass through engaging slot and cooperation of the bottom engaging slot  18   a  with the bottom engaging hub  120   a  provides horizontal (or more generally, lateral) support for the support bar  10 . 
         [0058]    Known support bars, for example as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,051 for “PORTABLE DISPLAY FRAME WITH TELESCOPING SUPPORT BARS” (incorporated by reference above), include several (typically four for a three section support bar) engaging slots. When the support bar  10  is extended for use, the engaging slots are generally in the same vertical plane to allow the support bar  10  to reside against the support frame front  100   a  (see  FIG. 1 ). Unfortunately, the resulting assembly method requires pulling the bottom of the extended support bar away from the support frame front  100   a  to pass the lower engaging slot  18  past a lower middle engaging hub  120   b , and as a result, the support bar  10  may be difficult to engage or even damaged. 
         [0059]    The engaging slot  18   a  includes a tapered mouth portion to align the engaging slot  18   a  with the lug  120   a  and a narrow straight portion to engage the engaging slot  18   a  with the lug  120   a . Further, the improved support bar  10  of the present invention includes a bottom engaging slot  18   a  which is a pass-through engaging slot (i.e., the narrow straight portion is open ended as seen in  FIG. 4C ). Such pass-through engaging slot allows the support bar  10  to be assembled to the support frame  100  by first attaching the top and middle sections of the support bar  10  to the support frame  100  by sliding the lower engaging slot  18  past the lower middle engaging hub  120   b  (i.e., the hub passes through the entire length of the slot  18   a  and out the end) without pulling the bottom of the support bar  10  away from the support frame front  100   a.    
         [0060]    A front view of the middle telescoping support bar section  14  of the improved telescoping vertical support bar  10  is shown in  FIG. 6A , a side view of the middle telescoping support bar section  14  is shown in  FIG. 6B , a rear view of the middle telescoping section  14  is shown in  FIG. 6C , a bottom view of the middle telescoping section  14  is shown in  FIG. 6D , a front perspective view of the middle telescoping support bar section  14  is shown in  FIG. 7A , and a rear perspective view of the middle telescoping support bar section  14  is shown in  FIG. 7 . The middle telescoping support bar section  14  includes an engaging slot member seat  23   a  for receiving a bottom engaging slot member  30  (see FIGS.  11 A- 11 C, 12 A, and  12 B). The bottom engaging slot member  30  includes a mouth  32  for engaging a first split post  24   a  residing in the engaging slot member seat  23   a . The engaging slot member  30  is preferably biased away from the engaging slot member seat  23   a  (see  FIG. 6C ) by a spring  35  positioned over the post  24   a  and as shown by arrow  35 ′, or by a plastic finger molded into the engaging slot member  30 , or the engaging slot member seat  23   a , or the like. 
         [0061]    The engaging slot member  40  is preferably similarly biased away from the seat  23   b . The bottom engaging slot member  30  further includes hands  33  for engaging slots  25   a  along sides of the engaging slot member seat  23   a  to help position the bottom engaging slot member  30  in the engaging slot member seat  23   a . The middle telescoping support bar section  14  includes a second support bar mouth  20   b  for receiving the top telescoping support bar  16  and is preferably made from a stiff material providing low friction, for example, glass filled polypropylene or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). 
         [0062]    A front view of the top telescoping support bar section  16  of the improved telescoping vertical support bar  10  is shown in  FIG. 8A , a side view of the top telescoping support bar section  16  is shown in  FIG. 8B  (shown with top engaging slot member  50  and attachment projection member  60  in place proximal to a top end of the top telescoping support bar section  16 ), a rear view of the top telescoping support bar section  16  is shown in  FIG. 8C , a bottom view of the top telescoping support bar section  16  is shown in  FIG. 8D , a front perspective view of the top telescoping support bar section  16  is shown in  FIG. 9A , and a rear perspective view of the top telescoping support bar section  16  is shown in  FIG. 9B . The top telescoping support bar section  16  includes a second engaging slot member seat  23   b  for receiving a middle engaging slot member  40  (see  FIGS. 13A-13C ,  14 A, and  14 B). The middle engaging slot member  40  includes a mouth  42  for engaging a second split post  24   b  residing in the engaging slot member seat  23   b . The middle engaging slot member  40  further includes hands  52  for engaging second slots  25   b  along sides of the engaging slot member seat  23   b  to help position the middle engaging slot member  40  in the engaging slot member seat  23   b.    
         [0063]    The top telescoping support bar section  16  further includes a third engaging slot member seat  23   c  for a top engaging slot member  50  (see  FIGS. 15A-15C ,  16 A, and  16 B), and an attachment projection member seat  26  for an attachment projection member  60  (see  FIGS. 17A-17C ,  18 A, and  18 B). The top end of the top telescoping support bar section  16  is preferably sandwiched between the top engaging slot member  50  and the attachment projection member  60 . The top engaging slot member  50  includes an opposing pair of hands  56  along the sides of the top engaging slot member  50  and a third hand  54  at a nose of the top engaging slot member  50  with ledges for engaging interior edges in the top telescoping support bar section  16  to retain the top engaging slot member  50  on the top telescoping support bar section  16 . The attachment projection member  60  includes male screw passages  64  which align with and engage female screw passages  52  in the top engaging slot member  50  for attaching the removable and replaceable attachment projection member  60  to the top telescoping support bar section  16 . The cooperating screw passages  52  and  64  pass through the top end of the top telescoping support bar section  16  to meet. The support bar section  16  is preferably made from a stiff material providing low friction, for example, glass filled polypropylene or ABS. 
         [0064]    A front perspective view of a preferred engaging hub  120  representing engaging hubs  120   a ,  120   b , and  120   c  (see  FIG. 1 ) for attaching the support bar  10  to the support frame  100  is shown in  FIG. 10 . The engaging hub  120  allows the support bar  10  to be carried by the support frame  100  and includes a flared portion  121  for retaining the engaging slot on the engaging hub  120  and a multiplicity of mouths  122  for connecting the horizontal and vertical members  110  and  102  (see  FIG. 1 ) to the hub  120 . The support bar  10  may thus be positioned with the engaging slots just above the engaging hubs, and slid downwards onto the engaging hubs. 
         [0065]    The engaging hub  120  requires a modification to the engaging slots to provide an upward assembly of the support bars to the support frame. 
         [0066]    A front view of a lower engaging slot member  30  of the improved telescoping vertical support bar  10  is shown in  FIG. 11A , a side view of the lower engaging slot member  30  is shown in  FIG. 11B , a bottom view of the lower engaging slot member  30  is shown in  FIG. 11C , a front perspective view of the lower engaging slot member  30  is shown in  FIG. 12A , and a rear perspective view of the lower engaging slot member  30  is shown in  FIG. 12B . The engaging slot member  30  attaches to the engaging slot member seat  23   a  of the middle telescoping support bar section  14  (see  FIG. 6C ). The opposing hands  33  engage the slots  25 , the mouth  32  engages the split post  24   a , and the hand  34  having a ledge engages an edge in the middle telescoping support bar section  14  to position and retain the engaging slot member  30  in the support bar section  14 . The engaging slot member  30  includes the lower middle engaging slot  18   b  for engaging the lower middle engaging lug  120   b  to retain the support bar  10  on the support frame  100  and to provide both vertical and horizontal support to the support bar  10 . The engaging slot  18   b  includes a tapered mouth portion to align the engaging slot  18   b  with the lug  120   b  and a narrow straight portion to engage the engaging slot  18   b  with the lug  120   b.    
         [0067]    A front view of a middle engaging slot member  40  of the improved telescoping vertical support bar  10  is shown in  FIG. 13A , a side view of the middle engaging slot member  40  is shown in  FIG. 13B , a bottom view of the middle engaging slot member  40  is shown in  FIG. 13C , a front perspective view of the middle engaging slot member  40  is shown in  FIG. 14A , and a rear perspective view of the middle engaging slot member  40  is shown in  FIG. 14B . The engaging slot member  40  attaches to the engaging slot member seat  23   b  of the top telescoping support bar section  16  (see  FIG. 8B ). The opposing hands  46  engage the slots  25   b  in the support bar section  16 , the mouth  42  engages the second split post  24   b , and the hand  44  having a ledge engages an edge in the support bar section  16  to position and retain the engaging slot member  40  in the support bar section  16 . The engaging slot member  40  includes the upper middle engaging slot  18   c  for engaging the upper middle engaging lug  120   c  to retain the support bar  10  on the support frame  100  and to provide both vertical and horizontal support to the support bar  10 . The engaging slot  18   c  includes a tapered mouth portion to align the engaging slot  18   c  with the lug  120   c  and a narrow straight portion to engage the engaging slot  18   c  with the lug  120   c.    
         [0068]    A front view of an upper engaging slot member  50  of the improved telescoping vertical support bar  10  is shown in  FIG. 15A , a side view of the upper engaging slot member  50  is shown in  FIG. 15B , a bottom view of the upper engaging slot member  50  is shown in  FIG. 15C , a front perspective view of the upper engaging slot member  50  is shown in  FIG. 16A , and a rear perspective view of the upper engaging slot member  50  is shown in  FIG. 16B . The engaging slot member  50  attaches to the engaging slot member seat  23   c  of the top telescoping support bar section  16  (see  FIGS. 8B and 9B ). The opposing hands  56  are inserted into the engaging slot member seat  23   c  and include ledges which engage edges in the engaging slot member seat  23   c  to retain the engaging slot member  50  in the engaging slot member seat  23   c . The engaging slot member  50  includes a closed end upper engaging slot  18   d  for engaging the upper engaging lug  120   d  to retain the support bar  10  on the support frame  100  and to provide both vertical and horizontal support to the support bar  10 . The engaging slot  18   d  includes a tapered mouth portion to align the engaging slot  18   d  with the lug  120   d  and a narrow straight portion to engage the engaging slot  18   d  with the lug  120   d.    
         [0069]    A front view of an attachment projection member  60  of the improved telescoping vertical support bar  10  is shown in  FIG. 17A , a side view of the attachment projection member  60  is shown in  FIG. 17B , a bottom view of the attachment projection member  60  is shown in  FIG. 17C , a front perspective view of the attachment projection member  60  is shown in  FIG. 18A , and a rear perspective view of the attachment projection member  60  is shown in  FIG. 18B . The attachment projection member  60  includes attachment projections  62  residing on the front face of the attachment projection member  60  for attaching the panel boards  30  (see  FIG. 1 ) to the front faces  10   a  of the support bars  10  (see  FIG. 2 ) and male screw passages  64  which align with and engage female screw passages  52  in the top engaging slot member  50  for attaching the attachment projection member  60  to the top telescoping support bar section  16 . The attachment projection member  60  is thus removable and replaceable in the event of damage to the attachment projections  62 , and is preferably removable and replaceable using screws residing in the screw passages  52  and  64 . 
         [0070]    While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.