Abstract:
A portable exhibit display includes a framework and a fabric covering for tensioned securement to the framework. Three dimensional attachments may be secured to the framework with the covering sandwiched between the framework and the three dimensional accessory. The framework and three dimensional accessory incorporates a plurality of magnet fittings to attract and secure at attachment points and regions the three dimensional object to the framework.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the filing benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/953,254, filed on Mar. 14, 2014 and entitled “Portable Exhibit Display with Magnetic Accessory Mounts”, the contents of which are being incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP 
     Not Applicable 
     JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to portable exhibit displays generally, and more particularly to a tensioned fabric exhibit display having a magnetic attachment array that allows for securing and removing three dimensional accessories to the tensioned fabric display without modifying the fabric display. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the past exhibit displays have been utilized at meetings, trade shows, and other events. Prior exhibit displays have attempted to provide structures that may be easily transported and erected for the intended temporary usage. Such portable exhibit displays may employ a network of interconnected frame members to form a support frame, and a fabric, modular covering, canvas, or banner connected to the support frame. 
     Incorporating accessories such as shelving, mounting brackets, and other items into the typically flat exhibit displays, may be desirable to highlight specific products, influence a particular audience, or for many other creative and aesthetic reasons. However, securing such accessories to conventional exhibit displays, has required additional framing, modified coverings or banners, and the use of mechanical fasteners that penetrate through the covering material to be anchored to the support frame. Attaching accessories with additional framework and mechanical fasteners is time consuming and can aesthetically or structurally damage the fabric covering, which often times comprises expensive graphical materials. Also, puncturing the banners or other covering material with mechanical fasteners may prevent the repeated use of the covering materials, resulting in a significant added expense for portable exhibit displays. 
     Consequently, there is a need for a portable exhibit display that facilitates rapid attachment and detachment of accessories without damage or modification to a banner or other covering material. There is further a need to provide an exhibit display that provides flexibility in the orientation and placement of the three dimensional accessories onto the exhibit display, so as to custom-arrange promotional and/or instructional materials and exhibits. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments according to aspects of the invention provide an exhibit display framework that allows for simple and efficient connection and removal of three dimensional attachments to a portable exhibit display. The preferred attachments may enhance the aesthetics and/or functionality of the display. Example accessories include shelving units, brackets, graphical displays, side walls, accent lighting, and the like. The apparatus of the present invention includes a coupling framework that secures the accessories to the portable exhibit display without the need for separate mechanical fasteners. 
     In accordance with aspects of the invention, an embodiment of the exhibit display includes a framework, a framework covering, and removable three dimensional accessories coupled to the framework. The framework has a base and a plurality of interconnected frame members that form the framework. At least two of the frame members has a plurality of receptacles formed in the frame members and the receptacles have magnetized fittings contained within the receptacles such that an outer surface of the magnetized fittings aligns flush with an outer side of the frame members. The magnetized fittings define magnetic attachment regions along the framework. The three dimensional accessory has an attachment point consisting of at least one of a metallic plate and second magnetized fittings. The attachment point is arranged on the accessory to align with the attachment region of the framework. The magnetized fittings have a sufficient magnetization to couple and retain the three dimensional accessory to the framework with the covering sandwiched between the accessory and framework. 
     In accordance with aspects of the invention, an embodiment of the portable exhibit display of the present invention includes a frame having a plurality of interconnecting frame members. The frame members have an outer concentric tubular side wall that defines an internal chamber. The frame members further include an array of receptacles formed in the tubular side walls that create and opening extending into the chamber. The portable exhibit display further includes a fabric covering for tensioned securement to the frame, and a plurality of fittings secured in respective receptacles. The fittings have first and second ends along a fitting axis, and include a cavity that opens to the first end. The fittings are positioned so as to be substantially contained at a respective chamber. The display of the present invention further includes a plurality of first magnets, each secured in the cavity of a respective fitting so as to be substantially coextensive with the first end of the fitting. The plurality of first magnets define magnetic attachment regions of a magnetic attachment array. An accessory having a rear surface including an attachment point with at least one of a metallic plate and a second magnet may be secured to the fabric covering in proximity to a respective magnetic attachment region through a magnetic attraction force to the first magnets at a respective magnetic attachment region. 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a portion of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to further explain the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred; however, it should be understood, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the various figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals throughout the figures identify substantially similar components. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic partial cut-away view of a portable exhibit display of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  is a top view of a portion of the portable exhibit display; 
         FIG. 2B  is an exploded perspective view of the portion of the portable exhibit display illustrated in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2C  is a front elevation view of the portion of the portable exhibit display illustrated in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2D  is an exploded side elevational view of  FIG. 2B ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a top view of an accessory portion of the portable exhibit display; 
         FIG. 3B  is an exploded perspective view of the accessory illustrated in  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 3C  is a front elevation view of the accessory illustrated in  FIG. 3A ; and 
         FIG. 3D  is an side elevation view the accessory illustrated in of  FIG. 3A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description provides detail of various embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Each of these embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not intended to be a limitation of the invention. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations may be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. By way of example, those skilled in the art will recognize that features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, may be used in another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention also cover such modifications and variations that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     Unless otherwise apparent or stated, directional references, such as “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “top”, “bottom”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and the like are intended to be relative to the orientation of a particular embodiment of the invention as shown in the figures. In addition, a given reference numeral indicates the same or similar structure when it appears in different figures, and like reference numerals identify similar structural elements and/or features of the subject invention. 
     A portable exhibit display  10  of the present invention includes a frame  12  having a plurality of interconnecting frame members  14 . In the illustrated embodiments, frame members  14  include upright members  14   a  and cross members  14   b  connecting between and/or among upright members  14   a.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2D , frame members  14  are constructed of hollow tubular material. The frame members include a tubular side wall  16  and the hollow portion defines a chamber  18 . While a variety of configurations for frame members  14  are contemplated by the present invention, substantially circular or square cross-section hollow tubular frame members  14  are most commonly utilized. 
     The portable exhibit display  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1  includes a fabric covering  30  that is shown partially cut away to reveal frame  12 . Fabric covering  30  may include a perimeter hem and pockets so as to drape over frame  12  in a manner that the frame members or framework  14  supports the fabric from within a pocket formed by the fabric. Alternative arrangements are also known in the art for securing a covering fabric to a display frame, including hook and loop-type fastening mechanisms, zippers, tie strings, and the like. Fabric covering  30  may preferably be tensioned to frame  12  to create a smooth display surface appearance. Fabric covering  30  may be provided in one or more pieces or units for securement to frame  12  as desired. Also, the fabric covering  30  may be formed from one or more of a variety of materials suitable for the intended use. Suitable fabrics include woven, non-woven, and laminated constructions of natural or artificial materials, as well as combinations thereof. A particular example is a polymer-based material suitable as a substrate for graphical printing processes. Examples of such polymer substrate materials include heavy-knit cloths suitable for dye sublimation and direct-type printing processes. Fabric covering  30  may further exhibit a suitable degree of flexibility for the intended portable exhibit display. 
     It is also contemplated by the present invention that frame  12  may be covered for aesthetic purposes with distinct panels that may or may not include a fabric covering  30 . Such display panels are well known in the art, and may be affixed to frame  12  through known securement means. 
     Frame members  14  of frame  12  may typically be fabricated from a lightweight metal such as aluminum or titanium, but may be otherwise manufactured from any suitable material or combination of materials, including a fiberglass composite. Frame members  14  preferably include an array of receptacles  20  in the sidewalls. The receptacles  20  are formed in the frame members  14  and may extend into the hollow chambers  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, receptacles  20  may be openings that are sized to receive and frictionally engage a fitting  22  (see for example  FIG. 2B ). Accordingly, the opening of the receptacle  20  may have a diameter that is substantially equivalent to an outer diameter or exterior size of fitting  22 . In this embodiment the fitting  22  is capable of being inserted into receptacle  20  in a manner, such as a press fit, so that an opening wall  21  defining receptacle  20  frictionally engages outer surface  24  of fitting  22  to securely retain fitting  22 . In other embodiments, however, opening wall  21  may be enlarged so that the fitting  22  is not frictionally retained within the receptacle  20 . Instead an adhesive, screws, magnetic attraction or other known attachment mechanism is utilized to provide a source of retention force for retaining fitting  22  at receptacle  20 . 
     In an embodiment of the invention, magnetic fitting  22  includes first and second ends  26 ,  28  along a fitting axis  32 , and a cavity  34  that opens to at least first end  26 . When installed at receptacle  20 , fitting  22  may be substantially contained in chamber  18 . 
     Fitting  22  may be fabricated from any suitable material, and is configured for installation into receptacle  20  of frame member  14 . In some embodiments, fitting  22  may be fabricated from a polymeric material, such as polyoxymethylene (POM) available from DuPont under the DELRIN® trade name. 
     An example set of dimensional parameters for the present invention includes frame members  14  having a substantially circular cross-section with an outer diameter X 1  of about 1.5 in. Outer diameter X 2  of a substantially circular cross-section fitting  22  may be about 1.25 in., and substantially equivalent to the opening diameter of receptacle  20 . In this arrangement, first end wall  27  may have a width of 0.125 in., such that diameter X 3  of cavity  34  may be about 1 in. A depth dimension of cavity  34  is preferably appropriate to receive a first magnet  40  therein, and may be, for example, at least 0.5 in. Other dimensional arrangements for the components of the present invention are contemplated as being within the grasp of those having ordinary skill in the art. 
     First magnets  40  may be secured in respective cavities  34  of fittings  22  positioned at frame members  14  of frame  12 . First magnets  40  may be received in respective cavities  34  so as to be substantially coextensive with first end wall  27 . The plurality of first magnets  40  define magnetic attachment regions  42  of a magnetic attachment array about frame  12 . First magnets  40  may be rare earth magnets configured for retention in respective cavities  34  of fittings  22 . Example first magnets  40  are available from Applied Magnets under the trade name Neodymium magnets. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, first magnet  40  may be secured in respective cavities  34  by an attachment, such as adhesives, fasteners, or the like. Moreover, fitting  22  may be secured in chamber  18  with a screw  50  that extends through an aperture  21  in frame member  14 , so as to threadably engage with fitting  22 . Alternatively, the first magnet  40  may be sized and shaped to fit and engage directly into the receptacle  20  and in affect become the magnetic fitting  22 . Other mechanisms for additionally or solely securing fitting  22  to frame member  14  are known in the art. 
     The magnetic attachment array of portable exhibit display  10  is useful for the removable securement of one or more accessories  60 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3D , an example accessory  60  includes a rear surface  62  with one or more attachment points  64 . To magnetically engage with the magnetic attachment array of Frame  12 , accessory  60  may include one or more attachment points  64  in the form of a metallic plate and/or a second magnet  66  adapted to be attracted to first magnets  40  or magnetic fittings  22  of the magnetic attachment array. Accordingly, a polarity of second magnet  66  attracts first magnets  40 , and vice versa, so that accessory  60  may be removably magnetically securable to portable exhibit display  10 . In some embodiments, second magnets  66  are rare earth magnets available from Applied Magnets under the trade name Neodymium magnets. Attachment points  64 , including second magnets  66 , may be secured to accessory  60  in any conventional fashion so that the magnetic attraction between attachment point  64  and first magnets  40  retain accessory  60  at the portable exhibit display  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , accessories  60  may be removably magnetically securable to the display frame with the fabric covering  30  in proximity or sandwiched between the framework and the accessory. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that, although the fabric may not exhibit magnetic properties, the first or second magnets  40 ,  66  have sufficient magnetization to retain the accessory against the framework with the fabric covering  30  operably disposed between the first and second magnets  40 ,  66  and/or between first magnet  40  and attachment point  64  of accessory  60 . Such an arrangement permits the magnetic securement of accessory  60  with portable exhibit display  10  at fabric covering  30 , and particularly in proximity to respective magnetic attachment regions  42 . The magnetic securement capability facilitates rapid and simple attachment and detachment of various accessories. The attractive force of at least first magnets  40  to respective attachment points  64  provide a “self-locating” function, in which accessory  60  is drawn by magnetic force to an appropriate mounting position wherein the respective attachment points  64  are in proximity to magnetic attachment regions  42  on frame  12 . Such a self-locating function operates to correctly position and horizontally level the accessories  60 . By way of example, the magnetic attachment regions  42  are provided in predetermined locations of frame  12  at specific spacings and locations to direct a desired magnetic securement of accessories  60 . 
     It is contemplated that a variety of accessories may be utilized in the portable exhibit display of the present invention. Examples include shelves, graphical apparatus, pegboards, and the like. Applicant further contemplates that side walls (not shown) may be magnetically secured to frame  12  as an accessory  60 , with or without the covering  30  sandwiched between the accessory and framework. For example, a flange or end portion of a side wall may be provided with one or more attachment points  64  for magnetic interaction with magnetic attachment regions  42  of end upright members  14   a  of frame  12 . In such a manner, multiple walls may be added as desired without the need for separate mechanical fasteners or apparatus. 
     These and various other aspects and features of the invention are described with the intent to be illustrative, and not restrictive. This invention has been described herein with detail in order to comply with the patent statutes and to provide those skilled in the art with information needed to apply the novel principles and to construct and use such specialized components as are required. It is to be understood, however, that the invention can be carried out by specifically different constructions, and that various modifications, both as to the construction and operating procedures, can be accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, in the appended claims, the transitional terms comprising and including are used in the open ended sense in that elements in addition to those enumerated may also be present. Other examples will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing this document.