Abstract:
An apparatus and system for an expandable, hinged, multi-panel presentation. The apparatus includes a main rectangular panel, a side rectangular panel, a fastener, and an interior rectangular panel. The interior rectangular panel includes a proximal interior section having a width equal to the width of the side rectangular panel and a distal interior section coupled to the proximal interior section by a vertical hinge. The vertical hinge permits the distal interior section to pivot relative to the proximal interior section. In a first position, the interior rectangular panel displays presentation material on a front display face while overlaying the main rectangular panel and in a second position, the interior rectangular panel pivots and displays presentation material on a back display face while overlaying the side rectangular panel. Beneficially, the apparatus and system displays a greater amount of presentation material without increasing spatial area required for the display system.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to the field of presentation systems and more particularly relates to portable presentation systems. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Presentation systems are utilized for the display of educational information, product information, advertising, and artwork at a variety of venues such as science fairs, conferences, tradeshows, seminars, and other events. Commonly, portable presentation systems allow a user to arrange their display material in advance on the display device and one portable presentation system can be utilized at several events. Presentation systems are traditionally designed as a tri-panel apparatus consisting of a main panel and two side panels that pivot with respect to the main panel and allow the apparatus to be free-standing. 
   During events where presentation systems are customarily used, such as tradeshows and educational fairs, there is a limited amount of space available either on tables, the floor, or walls for each participant. Portable presentation systems can be designed to fit in the assigned space allotted by the event; however, the conventional tri-panel presentation system restricts the amount of display area that can be used for presentation material to the front surfaces of the main panel and each of the two smaller side panels. Using the conventional tri-panel presentation system, users quickly run out of display area when presenting large or complex demonstrations. 
   In an effort to overcome this disadvantage, other solutions have been suggested. One approach is to use a flip-chart presentation system, varieties of which are known in the art. Flip charts allow a user to display greater amounts of material by attaching multiple pages of display material to a support board while allowing the pages to pivot over the top of the apparatus and rest unseen on the back side of the support board. A further modification has been suggested in a tri-panel approach in which the center panel a of tri-panel presentation system incorporates a flip-chart apparatus allowing a user to have multiple display pages that can be flipped sequentially over the back of the display device. 
   While these systems allow a user to present more information, there are several disadvantages. One disadvantage inherent to any flip-chart presentation system is that it is cumbersome to flip pages over the back of the display device while presenting. Furthermore, because a user must be able flip the chart over the top of the device, the device is limited in terms of its height as well as the type of location in which it can be displayed. For example, a flip-chart presentation can not stand against a wall or other vertical barrier. If set on a table, the table height affects a user&#39;s ability to flip the pages over the top. Furthermore, in order to review previously-presented material, flip-chart pages are flipped back over the display device until the desired page is found. Additionally, the presentation material on flipped pages must be presented on pliable material such as poster paper. Certain presentation material may not work well with a pliable presentation surface. 
   Another solution has been presented as a flip-chart that rests on its side so that the pages flip horizontally around a vertical spine. While this presentation system does allow more presentation material to be displayed in a limited amount of space, this system does not easily accommodate the conventional tri-panel system in which the main panel is greater in width then the side panels. In this horizontal flip-chart system, the interior leaves of the flip-chart would be prevented from overlaying the main panel completely, or would be greater in width than the side panel and would, therefore, increase the size of the display system once the interior leaf was flipped to the side. 
   Therefore, a need exists for a portable presentation system that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for an apparatus that allows a user to professionally and easily display a greater amount of presentation material without increasing the amount of spatial area required for the display system. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available presentation systems. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an apparatus and system for expanding the display area of a presentation system while maintaining its outer dimensions and professional appearance that overcome many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art. 
   The apparatus to display presentation material is provided with a main rectangular panel with a front display face, a side rectangular panel with a front display face and a width less than the width of the main rectangular panel, an interior rectangular panel with both a front and back display face, and a fastener. The fastener links the main rectangular panel and the side rectangular panel through holes disposed along the juxtaposed vertical edges of each panel at equal distances from their bottom horizontal edge. The fastener opens and closes allowing the removable attachment of interior rectangular panels and is designed to allow any rectangular panel to pivot relative to another panel. When the side rectangular panel pivots between the angles of 0 and 180 degrees, the side rectangular panel supports the apparatus such that the apparatus is free-standing. 
   The width of the interior rectangular panel is substantially the same width as the main rectangular panel and comprises a proximal interior section and a distal interior section. The interior rectangular panel includes a vertical hinge that permits the distal interior section to pivot about the vertical hinge and overlay the proximal interior section. In this manner, the folded interior panel becomes the same width as the side rectangular panel. The proximal interior section of the interior panel has a hole that allows the fastener to engage and couple it to the main and side rectangular panels such that the interior rectangular panel pivots to cover the main rectangular panel or the side rectangular panel. 
   The interior rectangular panel, in one embodiment, is configured to have presentation material on its front display face. The front display face is visible with the interior rectangular panel positioned in front of the main rectangular panel. Additional presentation material may be displayed in a two-step process: first, the vertical hinge permits the distal interior section to pivot relative to the proximal interior section and second, the fastener allows the folded interior rectangular panel to pivot and overlay the side rectangular panel. In this two-step process, new presentation material is displayed on the front display face of the main rectangular panel. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the interior rectangular panel can have presentation material on its back display face. 
   In a further embodiment, the apparatus to display presentation material may include a second fastener and a second side rectangular panel with a front display face and with a width less than the main rectangular panel. In this embodiment, the main rectangular panel is linked to both side rectangular panels, one on each vertical side of the main rectangular panel. Additionally in this embodiment, the distal interior section of the interior rectangular panel has a notch such that the notch engages the second fastener when the interior rectangular panel is positioned in front of the main rectangular panel. 
   A system to display presentation material is also provided with a main rectangular panel with a front display face, a right side rectangular panel with a front display face and a width less than the width of the main rectangular panel, a left side rectangular panel with a front display face and a width equal to the width of the right side rectangular panel, an interior rectangular panel with both a front and back display face, a first fastener, and a second fastener. The right side rectangular panel displays presentation material to the right of the main rectangular panel and the left side rectangular panel displays presentation material to the left side of the main rectangular panel. The first fastener links the main rectangular panel and the right side rectangular panel through holes disposed along the juxtaposed vertical edges of the main rectangular panel and the right side rectangular panel at equal distances from their bottom horizontal edge. The second fastener links the main rectangular panel and the left side rectangular panel through holes disposed along the juxtaposed vertical edges of the main rectangular panel and the left side rectangular panel at equal distances from their bottom horizontal edge. 
   The first and second fasteners open and close allowing the removable attachment of interior rectangular panels. The first fastener is designed to allow the right side rectangular panel to pivot relative to the main rectangular panel and allows an attached interior rectangular panel to pivot relative to the right side rectangular panel and the main rectangular panel. The second fastener is designed to allow the left side rectangular panel to pivot relative to the main rectangular panel and allows an attached interior rectangular panel to pivot relative to the left side rectangular panel and the main rectangular panel. When either the right side rectangular panel or the left side rectangular panel pivots between the angles of 0 and 180 degrees, the pivoted side rectangular panel supports the presentation system such that the presentation system is free-standing. 
   The width of the interior rectangular panel is substantially the same width as the main rectangular panel and comprises a proximal interior section and a distal interior section. The interior rectangular panel includes a vertical hinge that permits the distal interior section to pivot about the vertical hinge and overlay the proximal interior section. In this manner, the folded interior panel becomes the same width as the right side rectangular panel. The proximal interior section of the interior panel has a hole that allows either the first or second fastener to engage and couple it to the main rectangular panel and one of the right or left side rectangular panels such that the interior rectangular panel pivots to cover the main rectangular panel or one of the right or left side rectangular panels. The distal interior section of the interior rectangular panel has a notch that allows either the first or second fastener to engage the interior rectangular panel such that the interior rectangular panel lies flush with either the main rectangular panel or one of the right or left side rectangular panels. 
   The interior rectangular panel, in one embodiment, is configured to have presentation material on its front display face. The front display face is visible with the interior rectangular panel positioned in front of the main rectangular panel. Additional presentation material may be displayed in a two-step process: first, the vertical hinge permits the distal interior section to pivot relative to the proximal interior section and second, the first or second fastener allows the folded interior rectangular panel to pivot and overlay either the right or left side rectangular panel. In this two-step process, new presentation material is displayed on the front display face of the main rectangular panel. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the interior rectangular panel can have presentation material on its back display face. 
   In another embodiment, the system of the present invention comprises a main rectangular panel further provided with a back support configured to position a front surface of the main rectangular panel in a substantially vertical position. 
   Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment. 
   Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention. 
   These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1A  is a front, perspective view of the expandable, hinged, multi-panel presentation apparatus illustrating one embodiment of the present invention having a main rectangular panel and two side rectangular panels; 
       FIG. 1B  is the expandable, hinged, multi-panel presentation apparatus of  FIG. 1A , illustrating one position of the interior rectangular panel; and 
       FIG. 2  is the expandable, hinged, multi-panel presentation apparatus of  FIG. 1B  illustrating the movement of the interior rectangular panel. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
   Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. 
     FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a front, perspective view of one embodiment of an apparatus  100  according to the present invention. The expandable, hinged, multi-panel presentation apparatus  100  comprises a main rectangular panel  110 , a right side rectangular panel  112 , a left side rectangular panel  114 , and an interior rectangular panel  116  (See  FIG. 1B ). Each of these panels  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116  is made of a sturdy material, such that when the apparatus  100  is fully assembled, there is sufficient structural integrity to freely stand. For example, the panels  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116  may be made of poster board, cardboard, rigid plastic sheets, or other durable material. Additionally, each panel  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116  has a front display face for presenting material. The interior rectangular panel  116  also has a back display face for presenting material. The right side rectangular panel  112  and left side rectangular panel  114  may also include a back display face for presenting material. Those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that the size of each panel  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116  and the overall size of the apparatus  100  may vary to accommodate various user or event restrictions without greatly affecting the amount of presentation space available or the benefits of the present invention. 
   The main rectangular panel  110  supports the right and left side rectangular panels  112 ,  114  and typically presents the most important presentation material. As shown in  FIG. 1A , the main rectangular panel  110  has a width W 1 , a first hole  118  disposed in its right vertical edge  120  at a height H 1  from its bottom horizontal edge  122 , and a second hole  124  disposed in the left vertical edge  126  at a height H 2  from its bottom horizontal edge  122 . The main rectangular panel  110  may also include more holes disposed in its right and left vertical edges  120 ,  126 . 
   The right side rectangular panel  112  presents material to the right of the main rectangular panel  110  and has a width W 2  that is preferably less than the width W 1  of the main rectangular panel  110 . The right side rectangular panel  112  has a third hole  128  disposed in its left vertical edge  130  at a height H 3  from its bottom horizontal edge  132  such that H 3  is substantially the same as H 1 . The right side rectangular panel  112  may also include more holes disposed in its left vertical edge  130 . 
   The left side rectangular panel  114  presents material to the left of the main rectangular panel  110  and has a width W 3  that is less than the width W 1  of the main rectangular panel  110 . In certain embodiments, W 3  may equal W 2 . The left side rectangular panel  114  has a fourth hole  134  disposed in its right vertical edge  136  at a height H 4  from its bottom horizontal edge  138  such that H 4  is substantially the same as H 2 . The left side rectangular panel  114  may also include more holes disposed in its right vertical edge  136 . 
   A first fastener  140  and a second fastener  142  link the panels  110 ,  112 ,  114  together. The first and second fasteners  140 ,  142 , in one embodiment, comprise a ring, such as one of a split ring, jump ring, clasp ring, and triangle ring. In another embodiment, the fasteners  140 ,  142  comprise a piece of flexible metal wire or plastic. In a further embodiment, the fasteners  140 ,  142  comprise a piece of material, such as one of a thread, ribbon, and string. In yet another embodiment, the fasteners  140 ,  142  comprise a corresponding pair of hook and loop strips such as Velcro® strips. 
   The first fastener  140  links the main rectangular panel  110  and right side rectangular panel  112  together. The first fastener  140  permits the right side rectangular panel  112  to pivot relative to the main rectangular panel  110  about axis A along arc R 1 . The first fastener  140 , in one embodiment, comprises a first mouth  144  that opens, extends through the first hole  118 , extends through the third hole  128 , and closes to removeably engage the main rectangular panel  110  and the right side rectangular panel  112 . 
   Likewise, the second fastener  142  links the main rectangular panel  110  and the left side rectangular panel  114  together. The second fastener  142  permits the left side rectangular panel  114  to pivot along arc R 2  about axis B. The second fastener  142  comprises a second mouth  145  that opens, extends through the second hole  124 , extends through the fourth hole  134 , and closes to removeably engage the main rectangular panel  110  and the left side rectangular panel  114 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 1B , the interior rectangular panel  116  presents material in front of the main rectangular panel  110  in a first position. In one embodiment, the interior rectangular panel  116  has a width W 1  and includes a proximal interior section  146 , a distal interior section  148 , and a vertical hinge  162  which connects the distal interior section  148  to the proximal interior section  146 . In the present embodiment, the interior rectangular panel  116  is linked to the main rectangular panel  110  and the right side rectangular panel  112  by the first fastener  140 . 
   The proximal interior section  146  has a width W 2  and comprises a fifth hole  150  disposed in its right vertical edge  152  at a height H 5  from its bottom horizontal edge  154  such that H 5  is substantially the same as H 3 . The mouth  144  of the first fastener  140  opens, extends through the fifth hole  150 , and then closes to couple the interior rectangular panel  116  to the apparatus  100 . The proximal interior section  146  may also include additional holes disposed in its fight vertical edge  152 . 
   The distal interior section  148 , in certain embodiments, has a notch  156  disposed in its left vertical edge  158  at a height H 6  from its bottom horizontal edge  160  such that H 6  is substantially the same as H 4 . The notch  156  allows the second fastener  142  to operably engage the notch  156  such that the interior rectangular panel  116  lies flush with the main rectangular panel  110 . The distal interior section  148  may also include additional notches disposed in its left vertical edge  158 . 
   The vertical hinge  162 , in one embodiment, comprises a living hinge. As used herein, “living hinge” means a hinge that includes no moving parts, such as thin section of the material that bends to allow movement. For example, in one embodiment, the material of the interior rectangular panel  116  may be folded to create the vertical hinge  162 . Alternatively, the interior rectangular panel  116  may comprise multiple layers and the vertical hinge may be formed by a vertical cut in all the layers except one external layer. In another embodiment, the vertical hinge  162  comprises a planar adhesive. In a further embodiment, the vertical hinge  162  comprises a corresponding pair of hook and loop strips such as Velcro® strips. In yet another embodiment, the vertical hinge  162  is a mechanical hinge. The vertical hinge  162 , in yet a further embodiment, comprises a bi-directional hinge. In another embodiment, the vertical hinge  162  comprises a mono-directional hinge. 
   In one embodiment the interior rectangular panel  116  comprises a proximal interior section  146  and a distal interior section  148  of a single piece of material such that the two interior sections  146 ,  148  are divided by the vertical hinge  162 , wherein the vertical hinge  162  is a fold in the interior rectangular panel  116 . In a further embodiment, the interior rectangular panel  116  comprises a proximal interior section  146  and a distal interior section  148  such that the two interior sections  146 ,  148  are separate panels that are linked by the vertical hinge  162 . 
     FIG. 2  illustrates the movement of the interior rectangular panel  116  relative to the apparatus  100  when the interior rectangular panel  116  presents material in front of the right side rectangular panel  112 . The vertical hinge  162  allows the distal interior section  148  to pivot about axis C along arc R 3 . The distal interior section  148  may overlay the proximal interior section  146  giving the interior rectangular panel  116  an effective width equal to the width W 2  of the right side rectangular panel  112 . The fastener  140  permits the interior rectangular panel  116  to pivot about axis A along arc R 1 . The interior rectangular panel  116  may overlay the right side rectangular panel  112  and present material on its back display face. In this present embodiment, material presented on the front display face of the main rectangular panel  110  is now displayed. Of course, the interior rectangular panel  116  first pivots about axis C to display presentation material on a back display face of the distal interior section  148 . Next, the interior rectangular panel  116  pivots about axis A to display presentation material on a back display face of the proximal interior section  146 . In addition, one interior rectangular panel  116  pivots about axis A to overlay right side rectangular panel  112  the distal interior section  148  may be pivoted about axis C to unfold and present back displays of both the distal interior section  148  and the proximal interior section  146 . 
   While the embodiment described in detail above illustrates the attachment of the interior rectangular panel  116  to a right side of the main rectangular panel  110 , it is apparent that in another embodiment, not shown, the interior rectangular panel  116  may attach to the main rectangular panel  110  on a left side of the main rectangular panel  110 . In a further embodiment, a plurality of interior panels  116  are coupled to the apparatus  100  by one of the first fastener  140  and/or the second fastener  142 . In yet a further embodiment, one or more interior rectangular panels  116  is coupled to the apparatus  100  by the first fastener  140  and one or more interior rectangular panels  116  is coupled to the apparatus  100  by the second fastener  142 . 
   In another embodiment (not shown), the main rectangular panel  110  further comprises a support associated with its back surface such that the main rectangular panel  110  is stabilized in a substantially vertical orientation. The support may comprise legs integrated with the back surface of the main rectangular panel  110  that fold out to provide stability. Alternatively, the support may be a separate stabilizing entity engaged with the back surface of the main rectangular panel  110  to maintain vertical orientation. 
   The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.