Abstract:
A display stand case table provides additional utility for users attending tradeshows, conventions and similar events by providing a work table or display table usable for various purposes. In addition to including a protective housing for transporting displays stands, the case is convertible to a table configuration wherein a carried tabletop is supported by a top edge of the case along with a related hinged lid. In this way, the tabletop is of sufficient size for the display of promotional items, samples, brochures, etc. while also being sufficiently supported. In addition, a secondary lid is provided at an interim location along one side of the case body. The secondary lid can be supported in a substantially horizontal orientation, thus providing an additional supporting shelf. It is contemplated that this secondary support shelf provides a surface to hold or contain audio visual equipment, laptop computers or promotional materials.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of previously filed U.S. Provisional application 61/162,003, filed Mar. 20, 2009 and entitled “Display Stand Case Table”. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A retractable banner stand is a type collapsible display that is widely used in tradeshows and exhibitions as well as in reception areas and retail stores. An example of a retractable banner stand is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,337,567 issued to Skyline Displays, Inc. 
         [0003]    For tradeshows and exhibitions in particular, multiple banner stands are typically utilized. The banner stands must be shipped or transported to the tradeshows along with all of the promotional materials, display stands, tables, and chairs needed by the exhibitor for the tradeshow. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a transport case that will hold multiple banner stands and which can be quickly and easily convertible into a useable table, counter or workstation, thereby eliminating the need for the exhibitor to separately transport or ship the banner stands and a table, counter or workstation for use at the exhibition. By being able to convert the shipping or transport case into a useable table, counter or workstation for the tradeshow, shipping or transportation costs can be reduced. Additionally, by converting the transport case into a useable item within the tradeshow booth, it eliminates the need for temporarily storing the separate transport cases during the tradeshow until they are needed again for the return shipment. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a top front perspective view of a banner stand case table in a transport configuration. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a top rear perspective view of the banner stand case table of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a bottom front perspective view of the banner stand case table of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a front top perspective view of the banner stand case table of  FIG. 1  showing the upper lid open. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is an exploded front perspective view of the banner stand case table of  FIG. 1  illustrating examples of components and accessories that may be stored and transported in the case for use at a tradeshow or exhibition. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is a top front perspective view of the banner stand case table of  FIG. 1  in a display configuration. 
           [0010]    a  FIG. 7  is a bottom front perspective view of the banner stand case table of  FIG. 1  in a display configuration. 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged partial perspective view of the banner stand case table of  FIG. 1  in the display configuration and illustrating the use of some of the accessories illustrated in  FIG. 5 , including a post on which is mounted a shelf or sign. 
           [0012]      FIG. 9  is a rear top perspective view of the banner stand case table of  FIG. 1  in the display configuration and illustrating how the table may be used to support a laptop and monitor, for example. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  is a top front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a banner stand case table designated generally by reference numeral  10 . In general, the banner stand case table  10  provides a case for transporting retractable banner stands, display stands or other like items (collectively hereinafter “display stands”), while also providing a display table, counter or workstation (hereinafter collectively “table”) once the contents of the case  10  are unpacked. The case  10  preferably provides a hard-shell enclosure to protect and prevent damage to the display stands and other items stored and transported therein. In the preferred embodiment, the case table  10  is configured to transport a number of retractable banner stands. It is understood, however, that the case  10  could be configured to contain and transport any number or type of items for use by exhibitors. 
         [0014]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the case table  10  is displayed in its transport configuration. The case table  10  preferably comprises a unitary body  11  of rigid thermoplastic construction or other suitable lightweight, impact resistant and wear resistant material. The body  11  preferably includes a main housing portion  12 , a secondary housing portion  14 , a main lid  16  and secondary lid  18 . A transport handle  20  is preferably located in the main lid  16 . A latch  22  is preferably provided to securely the hold lid  16  in its closed position. A piggyback hook  24  is preferably provided, which allows for the handle of a bag or other article to be hooked onto the case  10  while the case is being rolled to or from the exhibition. The piggyback hook  24  is preferably a simple molded indentation and hook in the lid  16 . 
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a top rear perspective view of the banner stand case table of  FIG. 1 . A secondary latch  26  is preferably provided to securely hold the secondary lid  18  in a closed position. It should be appreciated that both latch  22  and secondary latch  26  could be configured in several different manners. In the preferred embodiment, the latches  22 ,  26  allowing use of a padlock (not shown) to secure all items within case table  10 . 
         [0016]    The case table  10  preferably includes a pair of wheels  28  positioned at the bottom of the secondary housing portion  14  such that when case table  10  is tilted for wheeled transport, the wheels  28  support the body  11  off of the ground surface. 
         [0017]    As generally illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , case table  10 , in its transport or closed configuration, provides a generally continuous protective case enclosure. Although not illustrated in these particular figures, it is understood that the interior portion of the case  10  can easily be configured as a single compartment, or multiple compartments. Thus, when configured as a single compartment, the interior can be accessed by either opening main lid  16  or secondary lid  18 . Alternatively, two separate compartments could be created, thereby providing isolated chambers within the interior of the case. As yet another alternative, partial separation of the two chambers could be achieved by using a partial divider appropriately configured for the particular application. 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of case table  10  is shown with main lid  16  opened to expose a first packing element  30 . As can be seen in this figure, main lid  16  has a recess  32  which allows a portion of first packing element  30  to extend upwardly. As will be further discussed below, recess  32  and the appropriate configuration of first packing element  30  allows for the packaging of elements which are longer than the height of the display table created by case table  10 . 
         [0019]    Further details regarding the packing capabilities of case table  10  can be seen by referring to  FIG. 5 , which is an exploded view showing examples of items that may be stored in the case  10  for use at the exhibition or tradeshow. In the preferred embodiment, the case table  10  is designed to carry a number of retractable banner stands, and associated graphic displays. As examples, case table  10  may be configured to carry two or three Skyline® Exalt™ banner stands manufactured by Skyline Displays, Inc., Eagan, Minn., or any other product or item which can be packed within the interior spaces and wheel transported by an individual. 
         [0020]    For illustration purposes only, the display stands comprising a two banner stands  40  and a carrying tube  42  are shown. The carrying tube  42  may be used for housing graphical displays for use in the banner stands and/or for housing a graphic banner  90  (discussed later) for attachment to the case  10  in the display configuration. The display stands  40 ,  42  are receivable into a main compartment or interior space  34 . To secure the display stands during transport to prevent them from moving within the interior space  34 , a first packing element  30  is preferably configured to receive the top of the display stands  40 ,  42  a corresponding second packing element (not shown) disposed in the bottom of the interior space  34  receives the bottom of the display stands. The first and second packing elements are preferably molded of lightweight material that also securely retains the items in position during transport and which cushions provides some level of impact resistance, such as Styrofoam® or other suitable material. As illustrated above in  FIG. 4 , the first packing element  30  may extend partially into interior space  34  and it may project into the lid recess  32  when main lid  16  is closed. 
         [0021]    Also illustrated in  FIG. 5  are a number of components may be placed within a secondary compartment or second interior space  36  provided by the secondary housing  14 . A third packing element  38  is preferably provided within the interior space  36  to retain accessories and additional components that may be used with the display stands  40 ,  42  and/or with the case  10  when in the display configuration (discussed later). For illustration purposes only,  FIG. 5  shows a plurality of lights  48 , electrical cords  50 , and a plurality of shelving brackets  52  all retained within third packing element  38  during transport. A tabletop  60  is also preferably received by the third packing element  38  and preferably provides a cover or containing element to enclose the shelving elements  52 , electrical cords  50  and lights  48 . Once appropriately nested, a single contained insert is preferably provided which is removably received within second interior space  36 . 
         [0022]      FIGS. 6-7  illustrates the case table  10  in a display configuration, wherein a display banner  90  is secured over the exterior face of the main housing portion  12  and wherein a tabletop, counter or workspace  60  is provided. As best illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the main lid  16  is pivotally secured to the main housing portion  12  by a hinge  61 . When the main lid  16  is in the fully open position, the peripheral rim  70  ( FIGS. 4 ,  5 ) of the lid  16  is preferably substantially planar with the peripheral rim  72  of the main housing portion  14  thereby providing a level and substantially stable support surface for the tabletop  60 . The underside of the tabletop  60  is preferably configured with a downwardly extending flange  74  that nests or is otherwise received by the interior peripheral rims  70 ,  72  of the main lid  16  and main housing portion  16  to minimize movement between the tabletop  60  and the supporting rims  70 ,  72 . 
         [0023]    As also illustrated in  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  9 , the secondary lid  18  may be supported in a substantially horizontal shelf position by support legs  44 . The support legs  44  preferably lock the secondary lid in the shelf position to securely support supplies, materials, a computer laptop ( FIG. 9 ), audiovisual devices media or other desired items. 
         [0024]    In addition to providing an upper tabletop and lower shelf in the display configuration, the case  10  is also adapted to support a graphics display  90  that covers the outer surface of main housing portion  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the graphic display  90  comprises a flexible panel  92  with rigid L-shaped attachment strips  94  extending along opposing ends of the panel  92 . The ends of the L-shaped strips  94  are preferably received within grooves  96  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ) extending the height of the main housing portion  12 . The flexible panel  92  is preferably a stretch-fabric material, such as Lycra, and is preferably sized such that when the graphic display  90  is placed over the front of the main housing portion, graphic display  90  is taut and substantially wrinkle-free. 
         [0025]    Referring again to  FIGS. 6 ,  8  and  9 , as previously discussed it is contemplated that the case table  10  may be used when in the display configuration to support laptops, audiovisual equipment, and other electronic devices. Accordingly, the tabletop  60  preferably includes an aperture  67  through which electrical cables and cords may extend. A removable cover  62  with a narrow slotted opening  63  may be provided to substantially cover the larger aperture  61 . The cover  62  may be removed to feed through the larger plug ends and then replaced around the thinner cables that pass through the slotted opening  63 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , a bottom aperture  65  may be provided through which a power cord, internet cables or other cables may extend. By providing openings between the two interior chambers  34 ,  36  the cables can be easily be routed from the floor to related electronic devices on the tabletop  60  or on the secondary lid/shelf  18 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , the tabletop  60  also preferably includes a post receptacle  64  for receiving a post  66  to which other accessories may be removably attached, such as a support shelf  68  and a small sign or electrical display  70  or other accessories that may have been stored within the interior spaces  34 ,  36  as previously described. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , the case table  10  also preferably includes an extendable support  84  that slidably extends from the underside a bottom side of secondary housing  16  to provide additional lateral support for case table  10  when in its display configuration. When not needed or when the case  10  is being transported, the extendable support  84  is securely stowed. 
         [0028]    The foregoing description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment of the apparatus, and the general principles and features of the system and methods described herein will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Thus, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments of the apparatus, system and methods described above and illustrated in the drawing figures, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the spirit and scope of the appended claims.