Abstract:
The present invention is a portable literature display. The preferred embodiment features a collapsible stand and sign, with a literature carousel that mounts upon the stand. The carousel is formed from a plurality of closable clamshell cases mounted upon a plurality of cross-beams and secured together in a ring. Leg flags are also provided to increase visibility

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present Application claims priority to prior file U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/382,986, filed Sep. 15, 2010 and incorporates the same by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of commercial displays and more particularly relates to a portable display for literature. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Information is valuable and the dissemination of information can prove critical. There are many situations where a person may wish to provide information to another. In some situations, it is desirable to locate the information in an area where people may gather. In these cases, people may have no idea where to go for information or may have no conscious need of desirable information, but may be latently curious. One such situation could be where a person is providing tourist information to visitors. Another situation could be where a person is engaging in proselytizing activities where information regarding a particular religion is provided to curious passers-by. Likewise, another situation could be to provide political campaign or petition literature to similar passers-by. Still another situation could be in-person sales. In each of these cases, and other conceivable ones, the desire is to go where people are gathered and provide a message to those who may become desirous of the information. The locations may be places where people temporarily gather, such as a sporting event, or may be a more regular location, such as a street corner or transit station. 
         [0004]    Prior art literature displays tend to be foldable tables and stands. In most of these cases, a flat surface is used as a platform or table upon which literature is presented. As a plain table, literature is then generally exposed to the elements, including wind and precipitation which can either disperse or otherwise ruin the literature. The platform also tends to dictate the shape and size of the collapsed stand, which can be cumbersome. In one embodiment present invention provides a portable literature stand that may be easily assembled and disassembled for ready transportation. One embodiment also presents compartments for the storage of literature so as to protect literature from the elements and hold literature in the display. Signage may also be provided according to collapsible paradigm. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of literature displays, this invention provides a portable literature display that is easily transported from one location to another. As such, the preferred embodiment of the present invention&#39;s general purpose is to provide a new and improved literature display that is easily assembled and disassembled, will draw attention, and can provide protection to the literature. 
         [0006]    To accomplish these objectives, the preferred embodiment of the portable literature display comprises a collapsible tripod stand with a central, extendable pole. A literature carousel is provided that slides onto the extendable pole and is held in place by a ledge or collar on the pole. Signage is also provided that mounts upon the top of the pole. The signage and carousel are also readily collapsible for easy stowage and transportation. 
         [0007]    The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow. 
         [0008]    Many objects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views. 
         [0009]    Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0010]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of the literature display. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the main components of a frame for a sign for use with the preferred embodiment of the literature display of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a plan view detailing final construction of the sign of  FIG. 2   
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the sign of  FIG. 3  mounted on a pole used with the literature display of  FIG. 1   
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a literature carousel for use with the literature display of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a literature carousel for use with the literature display of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the literature carousel of  FIG. 6 , mounted upon the literature display. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of a tether for use with the literature display. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a side elevation depicting use of the tether of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of a second embodiment of the literature display. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the leg flags used in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the literature display of  FIG. 10  in partial disassembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0023]    With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the literature display is herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0024]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the preferred embodiment of the literature display has three main components, the stand  10 , a sign  20  and the literature carousel  30 . The stand is preferably a tripod stand with an extendable center pole  12 . Other stand configurations are possible with the most important features being an extendable support of some form for the sign and a stable base that is easily collapsed. 
         [0025]    The sign  20  is mounted upon the center pole  12 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , and has a collapsible frame  24  and a signage component  22 . The frame, depicted in  FIG. 2 , is for a four-sided, three dimensional sign, though any sign configuration that is collapsible will be within the purview of the invention. The frame components for the depicted sign are two cross-beams  26  and four corner support members  28 . The cross beams are bent in a manner to form a projection  27  that may be inserted into the pole  12  of the stand. They also have hooked ends  25  that interface with one of the corner support members. The support members define corners of a four-sided sign and have ends that fit into pockets  23  in the signage component. The combination of the frame and signage component provides mutual tension that keeps the sign deployed. 
         [0026]    The literature carousel  30  is mounted over the pole with two cross-beams  32 , each with a central orifice  33 . The carousel cross-beams  32  each have two ends that are mountable in slots  35  in four storage boxes  34 , such as the type used by divers. These particular storage boxes open in a clam-shell configuration with two halves and each half may connect to another box, forming a ring of eight literature compartments. Each compartment protects literature from the elements and holds the literature in one location in a neat manner. This function is enhanced by the addition of a panel  36  which mostly covers the open face of the compartment. Literature need not even be taken out of the boxes when the display is stowed, allowing for easier initial set-up. The carousel  30  may rest on a ledge or collar  24  on the pole, possibly even the extension control of the pole. In another embodiment of the invention, the storage boxes  34  may be secured to the carousel cross-beams  32 , such as with rivets and strap  37  as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The addition of this securing means holds the storage boxes on the carousel in the event of inclement weather and wind and also in case of jostling by a crowd. The use of the strap also helps lessen the possibility of breakage of the boxes in case the sign falls. This is because the flexible strap gives against the slots, whereas in the first embodiment, the slots tend to give against the cross-beams. 
         [0027]    Additions may be made to the display. One addition is the use of a tether  38 , seen in  FIGS. 8 &amp; 9 . The depicted tether is a rigid bar with two straps  39  protruding from either end, though any suitable construction may be utilized. As seen in  FIG. 7 , the tether is strapped to the display post and also to a rigid support, such as a tree or lamp stand, to secure the display in windy conditions. Another additional feature are a number of leg flags  16 ,  FIGS. 10 and 11 , that may be positioned on the legs  11  of the display so as to alert passersby as to the presence of the legs and give the impression of a more solid object that passersby will instinctively avoid in their steps. The leg flags are secured in three corners to a leg, the post and a juncture corner of the leg and post. A flexible support rod  18  extends diagonally from the juncture corner to the corner opposite. Thus, when the stand&#39;s legs are extended, the flag  16  is tightened at the three corners and the rod  18  projects outward, tightening the flag at the fourth, unsecured corner. 
         [0028]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.