Patent GB-2485287-A (GB)
Title: A collapsible support
Inventor: BURGERS NICOLAAS
IPC: A63H33/38
Filed: 2010-05-18
Abstract: In one embodiment the invention relates to a collapsible support for use in erecting a pop-up display, comprising: a base member comprising interconnected front and rear flexible elements, so that in an un-erected configuration the base member is collapsed or collapsible between first and second opposing surfaces of an object and is provided with resiliency biased fold lines between the front and rear elements and in an erected configuration has a cross section that includes at least one curved surface; a first member comprising a cover arranged such that in use, in a collapsed position, the cover is collapsed between the first and second opposing surfaces of the object, and in a supporting position the cover includes at least one curved surface when viewed in a direction facing directly towards the first opposing surface of the object; and a second member comprising a second fixing member which is securable or fixable to the first opposing surface of the object; and a central supporting member which hingedly extends from, or is attached to, the second fixing member, and which further extends from or is attached to the cover; the central supporting member further comprising at least one supporting arm extending from or attached to the central supporting member, the distal end of which is attached to an inwardly facing surface of the rear element of the base member; wherein, in use, the central supporting member is moveable from a collapsed configuration in which the central supporting member and the or each arm is collapsed between the first and second opposing surfaces of the object to a supporting position in which the or each arm pulls the rear element of the base member into its erected configuration; and a connector which is connectable at one end to the second opposing surface of the object and at another end to the base member, the first member and/or the second member, such that when the object is opened by moving the first and second opposing surfaces of the object relative to one another, the connector pulls the central supporting member into its supporting position and the cover into its unfolded configuration. In an alternative embodiment, the invention relates to a collapsible support for use in erecting a pop-up display between first and second opposing surfaces of an object, the first and second surfaces being attached to one another along respective edges and being pivotably movable with respect to one another, the support comprising: a cover member comprising front and rear flexible elements and being provided with fold lines between the front and rear elements; a first member which is fixable, at a first end thereof, to the first opposing surface so that it extends hingedly therefrom, and which is attached, at a second end thereof, to an inner surface of the rear element of the cover member; a second member which is fixable, at a first end thereof, to the first opposing surface so that it extends hingedly therefrom, a first connector, which is hingedly attached at or near a first end thereof to the second member at or near a second end thereof, and is hingedly attached at a second end thereof to the inner surface of the rear element of the cover member; and a second connector, which is fixable, at a first end thereof, to the second opposing surface, so that it extends hingedly therefrom, and is attached at or near a second end thereof to the second member at or near the second end thereof, wherein, in an un-erected configuration, in which the first and second opposing surfaces lie substantially parallel with one another, the cover member, the first and second members and the first and second connectors are collapsed between the first and second opposing surfaces, the cover member being folded along its fold lines, and when the first and second opposing surfaces are pivotably moved with respect to one another to increase the angle therebetween: the second connector pulls the second member into a supporting position in which it extends away from the first opposing surface; and the cover member is pulled and guided by the first connector and the first member into an erected configuration, in which the cover member extends away from the first opposing surface.