Patent Publication Number: US-2006011798-A1

Title: Conerence branding system and related method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/588,964 filed on Jul. 16, 2004. This related application is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     FIELD  
      The present invention pertains to customized graphics for corporate conferences and the like. More particularly, the present invention pertains to various aspects of a conference branding system. The present invention also more particularly pertains to a related method for providing a customer with a conference branding system.  
     BACKGROUND  
      It is known to utilize one or more display panels during live meetings, during education and training seminars, at media and business theater environments and the like to present a corporate image or other information. Visual materials for customizing and managing graphic branding directives are displayed on the display panels. The visual materials may be permanently imprinted on to the display panels, projected on to the display panels, or both. These visual materials may provide a company with strategic communications and a corporate branding campaign to cascade throughout the company.  
      Examples of events that utilize display panels of the type which the present invention may be utilized to include but are not limited to employee and investor meetings and sales meetings and events. The corporation hosting the events generally desires to provide the event with a positive image with the display panels.  
      In this regard, the display panels may carry corporate logos and the like and may be color and theme coordinated with projected graphics, distributed graphics, or both.  
      Conventional display panels are typically incorporated into dedicated stages that are built specifically for an event. At the conclusion of the event, the dedicated stage, including the dedicated graphics materials, is disassembled and generally discarded. In certain applications, portions of the dedicated stage may be saved and stored for future use. Due to the expense, labor and storage space requirements associated with reusing portions of the dedicated stage, the practice of saving and storing is clearly an exception to the general rule.  
      Even for applications in which portions of a dedicated stage may be returned for subsequent use, shipping issues are significant. The equipment must be packed into specially designed crating. It is impractical, if not impossible, to ship such crating in an efficient and cost effective manner. For these described shipping considerations and the above discussed set up considerations, conventional equipment cannot readily be moved from location to location.  
      Event locations generally range from modestly sized conference rooms to ballrooms with 20-80 foot high ceilings and 130 foot stages. Corporate expense for stage building, graphics and related costs can easily exceed $100,000 for a single event.  
      While conventional stage construction and related branding effectively serves intended purposes relating to the creation of furtherance of a corporate image, for example, a need for improvement of the pertinent art remains. In this regard, a need in the art exists for a more cost efficient corporate branding system. There is also a need in the art for a modular corporate branding system readily adaptable to event locations of various size. Furthermore, a need exists in the art for a conference branding system that can be quickly and easily be set up, torn down, shipped, stored and reused.  
     SUMMARY  
      In one form, the present invention provides a modular conference branding arrangement that can be quickly and easily set up and shipped through conventional channels with standard size boxes.  
      In another form, the present invention provides a coupling mechanism for suspending a display panel from a stage rigging. The coupling mechanism may include a main body portion extending along an axis and having first and second ends for telescopically engaging first and second tubular members, respectively. The main body portion may include a generally cylindrical, central section. The central section may include an aperture passing therethrough. The aperture may extend perpendicular to the axis. The coupling mechanism may additionally include a ring member and a retaining member. The retaining member may pass through the ring member and be disposed in the aperture.  
      In yet another form, the present invention provides a method of providing a customer with a conference branding system. Ownership of the conference branding system is retained by a party other than the customer. The party provides set up and take down of the conference branding system at designated event sites in exchange for a usage fee. The party takes responsibility for delivering the system to the event site and either shipping the system to the next site or to storage.  
      In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a method of shipping a display arrangement having a plurality of flexible display panels. The method includes the step of providing a storage container defining a storage cavity. The method additionally includes the step of wrapping the plurality of flexible display panels about a common axis to define a roll and supporting the roll within the storage container. The method further includes the step of shipping the storage container.  
      Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from a reading of the subsequent description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
       FIG. 1A  is an environmental view of a display arrangement incorporating bi-directional coupling assemblies constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
       FIG. 1B  is a top schematic view of the display arrangement of  FIG. 1A .  
       FIG. 2  is a partially exploded top view illustrating a bi-directional coupling assembly of the present invention operatively associated with a pair of tubes.  
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the bi-directional coupling assembly of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  is an end view of the bi-directional coupling assembly of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is a side view of a main body portion of the bi-directional coupling assembly of the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the main body portion of the bi-directional coupling assembly of the present invention.  
       FIG. 7  illustrates a round ring of the bi-directional coupling assembly of the present invention.  
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate a clip of the bi-directional coupling assembly of the present invention.  
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate a spring plunger of the bi-directional coupling assembly of the present invention.  
       FIG. 10  illustrates a headless pin of the bi-directional coupling assembly of the present invention.  
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a shipping container containing a five-panel display arrangement of the present invention.  
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 11 .  
       FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 11 .  
       FIG. 14  is a schematic illustration of the general steps of a method of the present invention.  
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT  
      The following description of the present invention is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.  
      With initial reference to the environmental view of  FIG. 1A  and the related schematic view of  FIG. 1B , a display arrangement  10  is shown and generally identified at reference character  10 . As will become apparent below, the subject invention is directed to various aspects of a system for suspending graphics panels and a related method. In one particular application, the subject invention is directed to various aspects of a conference branding system. Prior to addressing the specific teachings of the present invention, a brief understanding of the exemplary environment illustrated in  FIG. 1  is warranted.  
      The display arrangement  10  is shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  to include a plurality of display panels  12 A- 12 E. The display panels  12 A- 12 E may be suspended from conventional stage trusses  13  in a manner to be addressed below. Alternatively, it will be understood that the display panels  12 A- 12 E may be suspended from airwall tracks or other known structures. In this regard, the present invention shall not be limited to any particular form of suspension. In the particular arrangement shown, the display panels  12  may be used to present graphics at live meetings, educational or training seminars, media or business theater environments, or the like. In  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the arrangement  10  is shown to include five (5) display panels  12 . It will be understood that the arrangement may also include more or less display panels.  
      The display panels  12 A- 12 E may be constructed of a suitable fabric material. For shipping purposes, the material of the display panels  12 A- 12 E may be sufficiently flexible to allow the display panels  12 A- 12 E to be rolled and unrolled. Upon unrolling, the display panels  12 A- 12 E may be free of any creases. For display purpose, the display panels  12 A- 12 E may provide a suspended, stationary, and smooth surface for displaying the desired graphics. In one particular application, the display panels  12 A- 12 E may be constructed of a white oxford material and treated with fire retarding chemicals.  
      In a conventional manner insofar as the subject invention is concerned, the display panels  12 A- 12 E may be provided with sleeves that extend horizontally along a top edge and a bottom edge. These integrally formed sleeves may receive tubular members (partially shown in the exploded view of  FIG. 2  at reference character  14 ). The tubular members  14  along the top edges may provide a rigid element from which the display panels  12 A- 12 E may be suspended. The tubular members  14  along the bottom edges may ensure that the display panels  12 A- 12 E hang smoothly by similarly providing a rigid element. Additionally in this regard, the tubular members  14  along the bottom edges may provide a weight that limits wavering of the display panels  12 A- 12 E. The tubular members  14  may be provided in various lengths. In certain applications, the tubular members  14  are provided in lengths of about 9 feet or less.  
      The display panels  12 A- 12 E of the display arrangement  10  may be preprinted with graphics. Alternatively, the display panels  12 A- 12 E can be illuminated with graphics. The display panels  12 A- 12 E may be preprinted with generic graphics, as discussed below, which may potentially be used by various corporations and/or for various events.  
      As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the display panels  12 A- 12 E may be used with one or more projection screen panels  15 . The projection screen panels  15  may be illuminated with graphics by a rear projector  17 , for example. The display arrangement  10  illustrated may be used in conjunction with a 16 foot tall velour drape. The display arrangement  10  may be lighted with dimmable source upwash lamps with floor bases and diffusion gels.  
      With continued reference to  FIGS. 1A and 1B  and additional reference to  FIGS. 2 through 10 , the present invention may include a coupling mechanism  16  for suspending the display panels  12  from the conventional stage rigging. The coupling mechanism may include a main body portion  18 . In the embodiment illustrated, the main body portion  18  may be generally cylindrical and extend along an axis  20  (see  FIG. 5 ). The main body portion  18  may have first and second ends  22  and  24  for telescopically engaging first and second tubular members  14 , respectively. Explaining further, the first and second ends  22  and  24  may have a slightly reduced diameter and may be received in the respective tubular members  14 .  
      The tubular members  14  may be releasably coupled to the tubular members  14  with a pair of resilient members  26 . In the embodiment illustrated, the resilient members may be spring plungers  26  including a body  28  and a spring biased plunger nose  30 . The body  28  may be received within an aperture  32  provided in one of the ends  22  or  24  in a press fit relationship. The apertures  32  may extend perpendicular to the axis  20 . The plunger nose  30  may outwardly extend to engage a small hole  34  provided in the tubular members  14 .  
      The coupling mechanism  16  may further include a ring member  36 . The ring member  36  may be disposed in a slot  37  passing through the main body portion  18  and may be coupled to the main body portion  18  by a headless pin  38 . The slot  37  may allow the ring  36  to be adjusted vertically relative to the main body portion  18 . The headless pin  38  may be disposed in an aperture  40  located in the main body portion  18 . The aperture  40  may pass through the slot  37  and may be generally perpendicular to the axis  20  and the apertures  32  of the ends  22  and  24 . The headless pin  38  may be retained in the aperture  40  by a pair of clips  42 .  
      In the embodiment illustrated, the main body portion  18  may include a pair of concave recesses  44 . The concave recesses  44  may be formed on opposite sides of the main body portion  18 . The concave recesses  44  may improve access to the ring  36  for hooking.  
      In one particular application, the main body portion  18  may be constructed of metal and may have a length of approximately 3.25 inches. In this particular application, the central portion of the main body portion  18  may have a diameter of approximately 1.00 inches and a length of approximately 1.50 inches. Those skilled in the art, however, will readily appreciate that the particular dimensions are merely exemplary and may be readily modified within the scope of the present invention.  
      The subject invention may provide a modular arrangement  10  that can be readily adapted for various event sites. In this regard, a complete set of display panels  12 A- 12 E can be created. The display panels  12 A- 12 E typically have a maximum dimension of nine feet. The modular nature of the arrangement  10  allows a user to selectively choose the particular panels  12  for a desired event site.  
      In certain applications the display arrangement  10  is a specific design for a conventional  100  foot stage. In certain applications, at least one of the display panels  12 C, for example, has a width dimension (i.e., in a horizontal direction) of approximately 27 feet in three  9  foot increments and a height dimension (ie., in a vertical direction) of approximately 9 feet. In such an application, the other display panels  12 A,  12 B,  12 D and  12 E may have the following dimensions of approximately 9 feet by 12 feet, for example.  
      In addition to the display panels  12 , the present invention may generally include coordinated PowerPoint® templates for projection onto a screen, such as the projection screens  15 . The templates may be color and theme coordinated for use with the display panels  12 A- 12 E. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the colors of the projected images and the display panels  12  must be adjusted to accommodate differences that necessarily result between images that are printed to a fabric and illuminated and images that are projected on to a screen.  
      The present invention may also generally include printed materials for distribution to the attendees of the conference. Similar to the templates discussed above, the printed materials may be color and theme coordinated for use with the display panels  12 .  
      According to a method of the present invention, a modular arrangement  10  is constructed to include a plurality of display panels  12  and generally have a common theme. The display panels  12  are dedicated for a particular customer. The method may also include the preparation of templates and printed materials as addressed above.  
      In one particular application, the customer does not purchase the display panels  12 . Rather, the customer pays the owner of the display panels  12  a usage fee for each use. The owner ships the display panels  12  to a designated event site and sets up the display panels  12 . At the conclusion of the conference, the owner disassembles the display panels  12 . The display panels  12  may be taken to storage or shipped to the next event location.  
      The modular nature of the arrangement of the present invention facilitates rapid shipment of the components from location to location. In this regard, the fabric display panels  12  may be stacked and rolled to fit within a conventional box have maximum dimensions of approximately 10″ by 10″ by 120″ (for example). As discussed below, the tubular members  14  and the coupling mechanisms  16  may be shipped in these same boxes along with the display panels  12 . The boxes are suitable for shipment with carriers such as UPS®, Federal Express® and the like for expedited shipment. Because the components of the present invention may be quickly and easily set up and taken down, and also because the components can be readily shipped with standard, expedited carriers, transportation from location to location may be accomplished in a quick and cost effective manner. In this regard, a single arrangement may be used in New York City at the beginning of the week and Beijing later in the same week. The modular nature of the present invention also facilitates storage for future use.  
      With reference to the perspective view of  FIG. 11  and the cross-sectional views of  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the display arrangement  10  of the present invention is shown stored within a shipping container  50 . In one application, the shipping container  50  has a length L of approximately 117 inches, a height H of approximately 10.5 inches and a width W of approximately 9.5 inches. While these dimensions may vary, the shipping container typically has a maximum height of 12 inches, a maximum length of 119 inches and a maximum width of 11 inches.  
      The shipping container  50  may be constructed of wood or other suitable material and include edges and corners conventionally reinforced with metal. The container may include a base  52  and a top  54 . The base  52  and top  54  cooperate to define a storage area  56  for receiving and storing the display arrangement  10 . The top  54  may be pivotally attached to the base  52  with hinges (not shown) in a conventional manner. The top  54  may be secured in a closed orientation manner. The top  54  may be secured in a closed orientation relative to the base  54  with a plurality of latches  58 . The latches  58  may be lockable latches.  
      The display panels  12  may be stacked and rolled about a common axis. In certain applications, the display panels may be rolled about a tubular member  60 . The tubular member  60  may be a PVC tube or other suitable structure. The ends of the tubular member  60  may be supported within recesses  62  (see  FIG. 13 ) provided at the ends of the storage area  56 . The recesses  62  may be defined in a foam panel  64 . In this manner, the stacked and rolled display panels  12  may be supported above a bottom of the storage area  56  to accommodate the other components (e.g., tubes  14 ) of the display arrangement  10 . A foam member  66  may be carried by the top  54  and thereby compress the tubular member  60  along with the foam recess  62  for stable shipment.  
      Turning to  FIG. 14 , a method of shipping a display arrangement  10  in accordance with the present invention will be described. In a first general step  100 , the method includes the step of providing a storage container  50  defining a storage cavity  56 . In a second general step  110 , the method includes the step of wrapping a plurality of flexible display panels  12  about a common axis to define a roll. In a third general step  120 , the method includes the step of supporting the roll within the storage container  50 . In a fourth general step  130 , the method includes the step of shipping the storage container  50 .  
      When the display arrangement  10  is stored in the storage container  50  for shipment, the loaded container preferably has a maximum weight of approximately 150 lbs. In certain applications, the container  50  may have a weight of approximately 138 lbs. The storage container  50  may include a handle at one end and a pair of wheels  72  (see  FIG. 13 ) to facilitate manual transportation to and from a delivery vehicle.  
      It is anticipated the display panels  12  of the present invention may be provided with standard or stock setups to promote particular themes. In this regard, it is anticipated that the display panels  12  of the present invention may be designed to address at least the following standard setups: innovation and communications; stock, financial and institutional; engineering and technology; health care and pharmaceuticals; community and employee appreciation; and customer appreciation.  
      While the invention has been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out this invention.