Abstract:
A collapsible display device includes a stand that includes a first part that supports against an underlying supportive surface, and a pole having a first end removably secured in said first part. The display device includes an essentially rectangular screen to be assembled to and disassembled from the display device and a first coupling arranged at a second end of said pole to cooperate with a second coupling arranged at a first short end of said screen. The first part includes at least one first fastener arranged at a shorter distance to the supportive surface than an at least one projector. The screen includes at least one second fastener arranged at a second short end to magnetically fasten to the at least one first fastener, a first magnetic strip arranged in connection with a first longitudinal end, and a second magnetic strip arranged at a second longitudinal end.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates according to a first aspect to a collapsible display means. 
         [0002]    According to a second aspect the present invention relates to a collapsible display system. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The patent document KR 10-087002 relates to a stand for attaching a hanging banner, comprising fixing devices and flexible feet, which can be adjusted whenever the stand is standing on an uneven surface. A main disadvantage with this solution is that it is very complicated to produce. 
         [0004]    The patent document SE 469 404 relates to a stand for panels comprising lists with magnets for connecting said panels to each other. The panels are supported by a foldable frame. 
         [0005]    The patent document US 2005/0166430 A1 relates to a collapsible display arrangement comprising both permanent magnets and magnetic strips in order to connect several display arrangements to, and in line with each other. This solution is not optimized when the floor is uneven. 
         [0006]    The patent document DE 198 50 267 A1 relates to a flexible banner stand with means for tensioning the banner. 
         [0007]    The patent document EP 2 226 781 A1 relates to an advertising structure using banners which are able to shift and reposition themselves in the presence of wind and telescopic rods affixed to poles. The structure may be single or double sided to hold advertisement banners. It is easily dismantled, and almost fully made in aluminium. The first semi-fixed structure to be positioned onto a pre-existing pole base. 
         [0008]    The patent document WO 2006/086847 A1 relates to a portable banner support that supports the banner so as to effect a curving of the banner. The banner support arrangement  1  comprises a pair of metal, ground engaging feet  2  that together create a base  2 . The base comprises a collar  4 , which is adapted to receive the upright resilient support member  6 . The banner  14  is supported at its ends by the upper and lower transverse members  16  such that the banner is in tension between its ends. Each of the transverse members  16  is curved so that the banner follows a curved shape between its sides. 
         [0009]    The patent document US 2005/0017137 A1 relates to an adjustable and collapsible display stand that provides improved adaptability to uneven surfaces. Adjustable, flexible connections between strut braces and adjoining struts and a vertical support member allow a user to adjust the angle, load, support and position of the collapsible display for enhanced usage. This display stand is rather complicated to assemble. 
         [0010]    The patent document US 2002/0121034 A1 relates to a banner stand  10  (See  FIG. 1 ) for displaying a banner  12  including two feet  16  for maintaining the banner stand  10  in an erect position, a pole assembly  18  for supporting the banner  12 , a hanger  20  attached to the back face B (see  FIG. 4 ) of the banner  12  and removably attached to the pole assembly  18 , and a base tube  22  to which the banner  12  and the feet  16  attach. 
         [0011]    The patent document WO 99/59121 relates to a presentation device  1  comprising a base  5  and bars  3  which can be connected to one another and which are provided for a flexible stand  2 , which can be connected to the base  5  via a plug connection. The presentation device  1  also comprises crossbars  9 ,  10  provided as a holding device for a presentation media  6 . The base is configured with four elongated feet  14 - 17 . The feet  14 - 17  are connected to an elongated transversal support  11  and can swivel from a folded resting position parallel to the transversal support  11  to a functional position in at least essentially perpendicular manner relative to the transversal support  11 , and can swivel back again. 
         [0012]    The patent document FR 2 775 107 relates to a flexible banner stand with means for tensioning the banner. (See e. g.  FIGS. 1-4 ). 
         [0013]    In view of the above mentioned documents there is a need for a collapsible display means which is easy to assemble and provides adaptability to uneven surfaces. Furthermore, there is also a need for a display means which can be connected to each other creating a display system in a flexible way. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The above mentioned problems are solved with a collapsible display means according to claim  1 . The display means comprises a stand comprising a first part which support against an underlying supportive surface. The stand also comprises a pole means, with a first end removably secured in the first part. Furthermore, the display means also comprises an essentially rectangular screen operable to be assembled to and disassembled from the display means, the screen having an image that appears thereon. The display means further comprises a first coupling means arranged at a second end of the pole means, and operable to cooperate with a second coupling means arranged at a first short end of the screen in order to secure the screen resilient. The first part comprises at least one first fastening means, and at least one projection means, wherein the at least one first fastening means is/are arranged at a shorter distance to the surface than the at least one projection means. The screen also comprises at least one second fastening means arranged at a second short end of the screen. The at least one first fastening means, and the at least one second fastening means are operable to magnetically fasten to each other. Furthermore, the screen also comprises a first magnetic strip means arranged in connection with a first longitudinal end of the screen, and a second magnetic strip means arranged at a second longitudinal end of the screen. 
         [0015]    A main advantage with this solution is that the screen is able to slide in relation to the first part staying on the floor. This is an advantage if the floor is uneven. Furthermore, the screen will always be stretched even if the floor is uneven. The mounting of the screen gets extremely simple, hang the screen at the top of the pole means, and the different fastening means will force the screen in place. 
         [0016]    A further advantage in this context is achieved if the first coupling means is spring biased, forcing the screen away from the surface and making the securing of the screen resilient. 
         [0017]    Furthermore, it is an advantage in this context if the pole means is spring biased by an internal spring arranged at the first end, making the securing of the screen resilient. 
         [0018]    A further advantage in this context is achieved if the first coupling means is in the form of a hook means. 
         [0019]    Furthermore, it is an advantage in this context if the second coupling means is in the form of a loop means. 
         [0020]    A further advantage in this context is achieved if each of the first fastening means is in the form of a magnetic means, and if each of the second fastening means is in the form of a projection means of a ferromagnetic material. 
         [0021]    According to another alternative, it is an advantage if each of the first fastening means is made of ferromagnetic material, and if each of the second fastening means is in the form of a projection means of a magnetic material. 
         [0022]    Furthermore, it is an advantage in this context if each projection means is in the form of a knob means. 
         [0023]    According to another alternative, it is an advantage if the projection means is in the form of a projection rim extending along an edge of the first part. 
         [0024]    The above mentioned problems are also solved with a collapsible display system according to claim  10 . The display system comprises at least two display means according to the present invention. Each two consecutive display means are connected to each other in that the first magnetic strip means of the first display means is attracted to the second magnetic strip means of the second display means. 
         [0025]    A main advantage with this solution is that the screens are able to slide in relation to the first parts staying on the floor. This is an advantage if the floor is uneven. Furthermore, the screens will always be stretched even if the floor is uneven. 
         [0026]    A further advantage in this context is achieved if each screen also comprises two essentially hollow, straight members of a rigid material, one arranged in connection with the first short end of the screen, and the other arranged in connection with the second short end of the screen, each member comprising a first end part, and a second end part, and if the display system also comprises an essentially rectangular second screen comprising a first magnetic strip means arranged in connection with a first longitudinal end of the second screen, and a second magnetic strip means arranged in connection with a second longitudinal end of the second screen, which also comprises two essentially hollow, bendable members of a flexible material, one arranged in connection with a first short end of the second screen, and the other arranged in connection with a second short end of the second screen, each member comprising a first end part, and a second end part, wherein each end part comprises either a male part, or a female part, at least one of them of a magnetic material, wherein the second screen is connected between two display means by the members being connected to each other, and the magnetic strip means being connected to each other. 
         [0027]    Furthermore, it is an advantage in this context if, if an end part of a bendable member comprises a female part, or a male part of a magnetic material, the end part comprises a sleeve means arranged between the end part and the female part, or the male part. 
         [0028]    It will be noted that the term “comprises/comprising” as used in this description is intended to denote the presence of a given characteristic, step, or component, without excluding the presence of one or more other characteristics, features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof. 
         [0029]    Embodiments of the invention will now be described with a reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  discloses a perspective view of a collapsible display means according to the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  discloses a perspective view of some parts of the display means disclosed in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  discloses a schematic side view of the collapsible display means according to the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  discloses two side views in more detail of some parts of the display means disclosed in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  discloses a side view of a part of a first embodiment of the display means disclosed in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  discloses a side view of a part of a second embodiment of the display means disclosed in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  discloses a side view of a part of a third embodiment of the display means disclosed in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  discloses a perspective view of an alternative solution to the one illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  discloses a side view of the assembling of a display system according to the present invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 10  discloses a side view of the display system disclosed in  FIG. 9 , when it has been assembled; 
           [0040]      FIG. 11  discloses a side view of another display system according to the present invention; 
           [0041]      FIG. 12  discloses a perspective view in more detail of some parts of the display system disclosed in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 13  is a cross section view of the parts disclosed in  FIG. 12  when they have been connected; and 
           [0043]      FIG. 14  is a cross section view of some parts involved in assembling the display system disclosed in  FIG. 11 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0044]    In  FIG. 1  there is disclosed a perspective view of a collapsible display means  1  according to the present invention. The display means  1  comprises a stand  10  comprising a first part  11  which support against an underlying supportive surface (u). Furthermore, the stand  10  also comprises a pole means  12 , with a first end  121  removably secured in the first part  11 , and a second end  122 . The display means  1  also comprises an essentially rectangular screen  20 , which can be assembled to and disassembled from the display means  1 , and having an image that appears thereon. In order to increase the stability of the display means  1 , the first part  11  is provided with two feet  400 , whereof only one is disclosed in  FIG. 1 . As is apparent in  FIG. 1 , a first coupling means  16  is arranged at the second end  122  of the pole means  12 . Actually, there are two first coupling means  16  disclosed in  FIG. 1 . The first coupling means  16  is operable to cooperate with a second coupling means  18  arranged at a first short end  201  of the screen  20 , in order to secure the screen resilient (see e. g.  FIG. 4 ). As also is apparent in  FIG. 1 , the first part  11  comprises two first fastening means  111 , and two projection means  112 . It is pointed out that it is possible with only one first fastening means  111 , and only one projection means  112 . The screen  20  also comprises, in this case two second fastening means  202  (not disclosed in  FIG. 1 ; see  FIGS. 5-7 ) arranged at a second short end  203  of the screen  20 . The first fastening means  111 , and the second fastening means  202  are operable to magnetically fasten to each other. Although it is not disclosed in  FIG. 1 , it is pointed out that it is possible to assemble a second screen  20  on the display means  1 . This second screen  20  will be placed parallel to the first screen  20  disclosed in  FIG. 1 , but with the images facing away from each other. The second screen  20  will consequently make use of the first coupling means  16 , the first fastening means  111 , the second fastening means  202 , and the projection means  112  not used in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, there are also disclosed two straight members  130 , one arranged in connection with a first short end  201  of the screen  20 , and the other arranged in connection with the second short end  203  of the screen  20 . The function of these members  130  will be described in  FIGS. 11-14 . 
         [0045]    In  FIG. 2 , there is disclosed a perspective view of the display means  1  disclosed in  FIG. 1 , without the screen  20  assembled. 
         [0046]    In  FIG. 3  there is disclosed a schematic side view of the collapsible display means  1  according to the present invention. In this case the floor (u) is uneven, but the magnetic coupling between the first fastening means  111  and the second fastening means  202  are allowed to slide in relation to each other when the first part  11  is tilted as on an uneven floor (u). This means that the screen  20  will stay almost horizontally. In this figure there are also disclosed a first longitudinal end  205 , and a second longitudinal end  207  of the screen  20 . 
         [0047]    In  FIG. 4  there is disclosed two side views in more detail of some parts of the display means  1  disclosed in  FIG. 1 . In this particular embodiment, the first coupling means  16  is spring biased, forcing the screen  20  away from the surface (u). This is illustrated with C in the left part of  FIG. 4 . This means that the screen  20  can flex, illustrated with the arrow in  FIG. 4 . This contributes to the fact that the securing of the screen  20  gets resilient. Furthermore, this figure illustrates that the first coupling means  16  is in the form of a hook means  16 . 
         [0048]    In  FIG. 5  there is disclosed a side view of a first embodiment of the display means  1  according to the present invention. As is apparent in  FIG. 5  the first part  11  comprises a short side  402 , and a long side  404 . In this particular embodiment, the first fastening means  111  is in the form of a magnetic means  111  in line with long side  404 . Furthermore, the second fastening means  202  is of a ferromagnetic material, here disclosed in the form of a clamp  202 . The projection means  112  on the first part  11  is in the form of a knob means  112 , e. g. of plastic. The ferromagnetic material can e. g. be steel. To connect the screen  20 , pull it down and get the second fastening means  202  have contact with the first fastening means  111 . The projection means  112  will keep the screen  20  in tension and prevent it from coming loose. 
         [0049]    In  FIG. 6  there is disclosed a side view of a second embodiment of the display means  1  according to the present invention. In this particular embodiment, the first fastening means  111  is made of ferromagnetic material, e. g. steel. The second fastening means  202  is in the form of a projection means  202  of a magnetic material. The projection means  112  on the first part  11  is in the form of a knob means  112 , e. g., of plastic. 
         [0050]    In  FIG. 7  there is disclosed a side view of a third embodiment of the display means  1  according to the present invention. In this particular embodiment, the first fastening means  111  is in the form of a magnetic means  111  in line with the long side  404 . Furthermore, the second fastening means  202  is in the form of a projection means  202  of a ferromagnetic material, e. g., steel. In  FIG. 7  the projection means  202  is disclosed in the form of a clamp  202 . As is apparent in  FIG. 7 , the projection means  112  is in the form of a projection rim  112  extending along an edge of the long side  404 . 
         [0051]    In  FIG. 8  there is disclosed a perspective view of an alternative solution to the one illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In this particular embodiment, the pole means  12  is spring biased by an internal spring  123  arranged at the first end  121  of the pole means  12 . This makes the securing of the screen  20  resilient. This is illustrated by the arrow disclosed in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0052]    In  FIG. 9  there is disclosed a side view of a display system  100  according to the present invention, when the display system  100  is going to be assembled. In this particular example, two display means  1  are going to be assembled. As is apparent in  FIG. 9 , the first magnetic strip means  204  of the first display means  1 , the one to the right, is placed in order to be connected to the second magnetic strip means  206  of the second display means  1 , the one to the left. Furthermore, each screen  20  also comprises two essentially hollow, straight members  130  of a rigid material, e. g., aluminum. As is apparent in  FIG. 9 , one member  130  is arranged in connection with the first short end  201  of the screen  20 , and the other member  130  is arranged in connection with the second end  203  of the screen  20 . The members  130  can comprise male and female parts operable to be connectable to each other. See e. g. the description in connection to  FIGS. 12-14 . 
         [0053]    In  FIG. 10  there is disclosed a side view of the display system  100  disclosed in  FIG. 9 , when it has been assembled. In this case the first magnetic strip means  204  is attracted to the second magnetic strip means  206 . Furthermore, the members  130  can also be connected to each other. 
         [0054]    In  FIG. 11  there is disclosed another display system  100  according to the present invention, illustrating a further building element, in the form of an essentially rectangular second screen  30 . The second screen  30  comprises a first magnetic strip means  304  arranged in connection with a first longitudinal end  305  of the screen  30 , and a second magnetic strip means  306  arranged in connection with a second longitudinal end  307  of the screen  30 . Furthermore, the second screen  30  also comprises two essentially hollow, bendable members  150  of a flexible material, e. g., of rubber. The bendable members  150  are arranged in connection with the short ends  301 , and  303  of the screen  30 . The end parts, not disclosed in this figure, of the members  130 ,  150  comprise either a male part, or a female part, at least one of them of a magnetic material. See a more detailed description in connection to  FIGS. 12-14 . As is apparent in  FIG. 11 , the second screen  30  is connected between two display means  1  by the members  130 ,  150  being connected to each other, and the magnetic strip means  204 ,  306 ,  206 ,  304  being connected to each other. 
         [0055]    In  FIGS. 12 , and  13  there is disclosed a perspective view and a cross section view of some parts of the display system  100  disclosed in  FIG. 11 . In  FIG. 12  there is disclosed a first screen  20  with a straight member  130 , and a second screen  30  with a bendable member  150 . Each member  130  comprises a first end part  132 , and a second end part  134  (not disclosed in  FIGS. 12 and 13 ). Each member  150  comprises a first end part  152 , and a second end part  154  (not disclosed in  FIGS. 12 and 13 ). In this particular embodiment, the first end part  132  comprises a male part of a ferromagnetic material, e. g., steel. The first end part  152  of the bendable member  150  comprises a female part of a magnetic material. Furthermore, as is apparent in  FIG. 13 , the first end part  152  also comprises a sleeve means  156  arranged between the first end part  152 , and the female part. This makes the connection more strength. 
         [0056]    In  FIG. 14  there is disclosed a cross section view of some parts involved in assembling the display system  100  disclosed in  FIG. 11 . Here is disclosed two straight members  130 , and one bendable member  150 . In this particular embodiment, both the first and second end parts  152 ,  154  of the bendable member  150  comprise a female part of a magnetic material. To be connected to the bendable member  150  is on the one hand the straight member  130  with a male part of a ferromagnetic material arranged in the second end part  134 , and on the other hand the straight member  130  with a male part of a ferromagnetic material arranged in the first part  132 . 
         [0057]    It is pointed out that the disclosed connections of different members  130 ,  150  are only exemplary, and not exhaustive. The different members  130 ,  150  can have two male parts, two female parts, or some mix of them. Furthermore, a male part can be either of magnetic or ferromagnetic material. The same applies for a female part. It is also possible to have magnetic materials of different polarity for a male part, and a female part intended to be connected. 
         [0058]    The invention is not limited to the described embodiments. It will be evident for those skilled in the art that many different modifications are feasible within the scope of the following Claims.