Patent Publication Number: US-8112918-B1

Title: Foldable display system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/195,083, filed Oct. 3, 2008 entitled FOLDABLE DISPLAY SYSTEM. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to advertising or promotional products and, more particularly, to advertising or promotional products, packaging and displays which are quickly and easily transformed between a substantially flat, two-dimensional construction and a fully erect, three-dimensional construction. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     With the ever increasing quantity of products and services being offered to consumers, substantial interest has been given to promotional display systems for advertising products and services. In this regard, a wide variety of advertising displays and promotional literature has been created and distributed to consumers. However, due to the deluge of material to which average consumers are constantly exposed, greater emphasis has been placed upon developing eye-catching, visual displays and promotional material which will receive consumer attention. 
     Although various promotional or advertising products and printed displays have been created in an attempt to satisfy this demand, these prior art products have failed to provide the desired interest in generating results with production costs which advertisers are capable of justifying. In an attempt to generate a unique advertising or promotional display, some prior art products have employed complex folding systems which produced a three-dimensional display when unfolded or opened. However, in spite of the unique visual appearance and generated by such products, the overall cost of production and complexity of assembly of the systems have prevented such prior art systems from becoming popular. 
     Other prior art displays have attempted to generate consumer interest by providing unique visual images or other indicia as an integral part of the display. However, these prior art systems have also failed to generate the interest being sought, largely due to an inability to physically involve the consumer in the promotion or display. 
     In addition, other products, such as a greeting cards, have attempted to generate consumer interest. However, consumer involvement in the card display has not been achieved. 
     Furthermore, consumers as well as advertisers have long sought to obtain a unique promotional or advertising display system which the consumer can employ on a regular basis for providing a particular function or purpose which can be repeatedly employed. In this regard, advertisers have long sought to be able to provide consumers with a promotional or advertising display system which will be continuously used by a consumer with the product also containing promotional or advertising indicia printed thereon. In this way, consumer satisfaction with the product is achieved while the advertiser is able to obtain continuous display of the advertising indicia. 
     Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide an advertising or promotional display product which is quickly and easily trans-formed between a substantially flat, two-dimensional configuration and a fully erect three-dimensional configuration which provides the user with a multipurpose product that can be continuously and repeatedly employed. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an advertising/promotional display product having the characteristic features described above, which incorporates a plurality of exposed panels on which advertising indicia can be prominently displayed. 
     Another object to the present invention is to provide an advertising/promotional display product having the characteristic features described above, which is capable of being produced at a reasonable cost and provides an exciting, interest generating display and/or holding member. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an advertising/promotional display product having the characteristic features described above, which enables the consumer to physically control the presentation of the display in a unique, hands-on manner. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an advertising/promotional display product having the characteristic features described above, which is capable of mass production and assembly. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide an advertising/promotional display product having the characteristic features described above, which provides a unique, eye-catching, exciting, and surprising display which is produced in response to action taken by the consumer. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an advertising/promotional display product having the characteristic features described above, which the consumer is able to adapt for personal use in a wide variety of alternate purposes. 
     Other and more specific objects will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     By employing the present invention, all of the difficulties and inabilities of the prior art are eliminated and a unique, hands-on, visually exciting and interest generating advertising/promotional display product and/or holding system is realized. This desirable result is attained in the present invention by providing a unique multi-panel construction which is quickly and easily transformed between a substantially flat two-dimensional configuration and a fully erect and fully constructed three-dimensional configuration. In addition, the multi-panel construction is transformed into a housing member having any desired indicia, graphics, and the like printed on the panels thereof, with the housing member being employable for wide variety of consumer oriented functions or purposes. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of panel members are supportingly retained in a first holding plate, ring or collar with each of the panel members being arcuately pivotable relative to the holding plate. In addition, a second, movable plate, ring or collar is cooperatively associated with the panel members for being longitudinally movable along the length of the panel members while securely retaining and being cooperatively associated with each panel member. 
     In this way, the second, movable plate is quickly and easily advanced from a first position wherein the second, movable plate is positioned in direct association or engagement with the first holding plate into a second position wherein the second, movable plate is extended away from the first holding plate longitudinally moved substantially the full length of each panel member. When in this second position, each panel member is fixed in a locked and fully erect position, secured in that position by cooperative association with the first holding plate and the second, movable plate. 
     When positioned in its second, fully erect display configuration, the advertising/promotional display product of the present invention is maintained in the particular structural configuration specifically designed, with a size and shape for achieving a particular purpose or function. In this regard, the fully erect advertising/promotional display product may range from a three panel or three sided, triangular shape to a multi-panel, multi-sided product having any desired number of panels. 
     In addition, the resulting product can be open on one or more of its opposed ends and can range from a small, desk top structure to a large diameter container constructed for receiving candy, gifts, prizes, tools, clothing, laundry, trash, etc. In this regard, the promotional display product can be constructed for rapid assembly followed by the filling of the display product with a gift, candy, or the like. Preferably, in this embodiment, the first holding plate incorporates a movable section for providing easy access to the interior of the display product. Regardless of the resulting configuration, number of panels, and/or overall dimensions employed, the same structural arrangement is employed for quickly transforming the advertising/promotional packaging or display product from a two-dimensional configuration into a three-dimensional product useable for the desired purpose. 
     In order to achieve a rapid, and easily constructed transformation from a two-dimensional configuration into a three-dimensional configuration, the first holding plate and second movable plate are initially placed in cooperating association with each other, preferably in overlying contact with each other. When in this position, the plurality of panel members are arcuately pivotable relative to the first holding plate and the second movable plate, enabling each panel member to be pivoted into overlying relationship with each other, thereby providing a flat, compact, substantially two-dimensional folded configuration. 
     In addition, in the preferred construction, each panel member is mounted in locked engagement with the first holding plate, with each panel member being positioned in a separate, independent, elongated slot formed in the first holding plate. Furthermore, the second, movable plate incorporates a plurality of slots formed therein with one panel member mounted in each slot. In this way, the second, movable plate is longitudinally movable along the length of each panel member by simultaneously advancing second, movable plate along the length of each associated panel member. 
     Finally, in the preferred construction, one or more panel members incorporate an outwardly extending locking flange formed at the base thereof, for contacting the second, movable plate whenever the second, movable plate has been extended substantially the entire length of each panel member. In this way, the longitudinal movability of the second, movable plate is controlled while also assuring its cooperative association and secure interlocked engagement with each panel member thereof. Furthermore, additional movable plates may be employed, if desired, in order to add additional strength and rigidity to the final structure. 
     In addition to providing an advertising/promotional display product having virtually any desired size and shape, the present invention also provides a product on which numerous panels are employed, with each panel being available for incorporating any visual display desired by the sponsor. As a result, the advertising/promotional display product of the present invention enables a sponsor to create a highly desirable, functional and easily employed product for numerous users or recipients, with each product incorporating any desired indicia, message, alphanumeric designation, colors, logos, and the like, in order to entertain and/or inform the consumer. 
     Furthermore, if desired, the panel may be formed from any desired materials, including transparent material. In such constructions, any desired display must be included inside the panels for being viewable through the panel. 
     The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture, possessing the features, properties, and relation of elements which will be exemplified in the article hereinafter described, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
    
    
     
       THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a multi-sided, advertising/promotional display product made in accordance with the present invention and shown in its fully assembled three-dimensional configuration and depicted as a combined calendar and pencil holder; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the multi-sided advertising/promotional display product of  FIG. 1  with the pencils removed; 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the advertising/promotional display product of  FIG. 2  depicted in its collapse, two-dimensional configuration; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the advertising/promotional display product of the present invention shown in its fully erect, three-dimensional configuration; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the advertising/promotional display product of  FIG. 4  shown with a pivotable top cover in the open position; 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevation view of one panel construction employed in the advertising/promotional display product of  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIGS. 7-13  are perspective views of alternate embodiments of the multi-sided advertising/promotional display product of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DISCLOSURE 
     By referring to  FIGS. 1-13 , along with the following detailed discussion, the preferred constructions and operation of a plurality of alternate embodiments of the advertising and/or promotional display product of the present invention can best be understood. In each of these embodiments, alternate constructions and configurations of the multi-panel display product of the present invention are fully depicted and discussed in detail herein. 
     Although this disclosure and the associated drawings fully detail several alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention, further alternate embodiments and constructions can be implemented without departing from the scope of this invention. Consequently, it is to be understood that the following disclosure is provided for exemplary purposes only and is not intended as a limitation of the present invention, with all alternate embodiments which are evident from this disclosure being encompassed within the scope of the present invention. 
     In  FIGS. 1-3 , a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. In this embodiment, advertising/promotional display product  20  is constructed as a multi-panel housing member  21  which is constructed as a combined calendar and pencil holder. In the preferred construction of this embodiment of the present invention, multi-panel housing member  21  comprises holding plate  22 , movable plate  23 , and a plurality of panel members  24 . By employing these few, principal components which are constructed in the manner detailed herein, a unique, visually exciting and interested generating advertising/promotional display product is achieved. Furthermore, using these principal components, a wide variety of alternate forms and configurations can be constructed and employed for numerous alternate purposes. 
     In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 , advertising/promotional display product  20  comprises six separate and independent panel members  24 , each of which are printed with desired indicia thereon. As depicted, in this embodiment, the indicia comprises the months of one year, along with the days and dates of each month. As a result, this embodiment of display product  20  is able to function as a tabletop calendar display for one particular year. In addition, additional decorative indicia may be printed on panels  24 , along with any desired advertisement, logo, and/or promotional information printed on either panels  24  or additional, upstanding display panel or holder  25 . 
     In the preferred construction of this embodiment of the present invention, holding plate  22  incorporates an outer, terminating edge  26  with a plurality of slots or apertures  30  formed in holding plate  22 . Furthermore, each slot/aperture  30  is preferably constructed for receiving and lockingly engaging one panel member  24  therein. In this way, each panel member  24  is positioned in a slot/aperture  30  of holding plate  22  in a manner which enables each panel member  24  to be arcuately pivotable relative to holding plate  22  while also being securely mounted to holding plate  22  to prevent longitudinal or sliding movement of panel member  24  relative to holding plate  22 . 
     In addition, holding plate  22  is preferably constructed with slots/apertures  30  formed in a substantially circular array spaced inwardly from terminating edge  26  thereof. In this way, once panel members  24  are mounted in slot/apertures  30 , panel members  24  are positioned directly adjacent outer terminating edge  26  of holding plate  22 . 
     Furthermore, in the preferred construction, holding plate  22  also incorporates a plurality of holes  31  formed therein which are positioned inwardly of slots/apertures  30 . By incorporating holes  31  in holding plate  22 , the desired pencil holding function for this embodiment of the present invention is easily achieved. 
     The preferred construction of this embodiment of advertising for promotional display product  20  is effectively completed by incorporating movable plate  23 . In the preferred construction, movable plate  23  comprises a substantially circular shaped member having an outer, terminating edge  27 . In addition, movable plate  23  incorporates a plurality of slots  33  formed therein and positioned in a substantially circular array, spaced inwardly from terminating edge  27 . Each slot  33  is constructed for receiving one panel member  24  and enabling the panel member  24  to be longitudinally movable relative to slot  33 . 
     By employing this construction, plate  24  is quickly and easily moved from a first position, wherein plate  24  is directly adjacent or in contact with plate  22 , to a second position wherein plate  24  is extended or spaced away from plate  22  a distance substantially equal to the overall length of panel members  24 . 
     In addition, in the preferred construction, each panel member  24  incorporates side edges  35  and  36  which define the overall length of each panel member  24 . Furthermore, one or more panel members  24  also incorporates flange extension  37  formed at the bottom of side edge  35  and extending outwardly therefrom, and flange extensions  38  formed on opposed side edge  36 , extending outwardly from bottom of side edge  36 . 
     By employing this construction, flange extensions  37  and  38  provide a positive abutment stop for movable plate  23 , controllably limiting the longitudinal movement of plate  23  along the length of panel members  24 . In this way, whenever advertising/promotional display product  20  is to be moved from its first, substantially flat, two-dimensional configuration into its second, fully erect, three-dimensional configuration, movable plate  23  is advanced along the length of panel members  24 , until movable plate  23  engages flange extensions  37  and  38  of plate numbers  24 . Once in this second position, plate member  23  is incapable of being advanced any further, effectively establishing the desired fully erect, three-dimensional configuration, with plate number  23  forming the base of advertising/promotional display product  20 , while also simultaneously causing panel members  24  to be positioned and lockingly held in their fully displayed position. 
     As is evident from the foregoing discussion, advertising/promotional display product  20  is capable of being quickly and easily moved between its two alternate configurations, enabling the user to quickly and easily transform advertising/promotional display product  20  from its first two-dimensional, flat configuration into its second, three-dimensional, fully erect, display configuration. Furthermore, by merely advancing movable plate  23  along the length of panel members  24 , the automatic transformation of advertising/promotional display product  20  into its fully erect three-dimensional configuration is achieved in a manner which directly involves the user, while also being rapid, quick, and easily achieved. 
     Furthermore, by constructing panel members  24  in a manner which securely maintains panel members  24  in locked engagement with holding plate  22 , while panel members  24  are arcuately pivotable relative to holding plate  22 , advertising/promotional display product  20  achieves a construction which allows panel members  24  to be easily folded relative to holding plate  22  and movable plate  23  whenever display product  20  is in its collapsed, two-dimensional configuration. 
     As a result, shipment ease and convenience is realized, while also providing an advertising/promotional display product which enables the sponsor to have a construction which provides interest and excitement to the user while also having numerous panel members or surfaces upon which any desired indicia, message, information, logo, alphanumeric designations, and the like can be printed for continuous viewing by the user. As a result, all of the goals and objectives sought by sponsors of advertising/promotional products are realized in a construction which is manufactured and assembled in an efficient and cost effective manner. 
     In  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  7 - 13  further alternate constructions of advertising/promotional display product  20  of the present invention are depicted. In each of these embodiments, advertising/promotional display product  20  comprises housing member  21  which is formed by holding plate  22 , movable plate  23 , and a plurality of panel members  24 . 
     Furthermore, in each embodiment, the construction and arrangement of these components is substantially identical to the construction and arrangement detailed above in reference to  FIGS. 1-3 . However, in these alternate embodiments, the number of panel members and/or the number of movable plates varies, thereby providing advertising/promotional display products  20  which vary from triangular shapes, having the three panel members  24  to multi-sided, multi-paneled constructions having varying configurations. As is evident from a review of these alternate constructions, as well as the discussions provided above, advertising/promotional display product  20  of the present invention can be manufactured with virtually any number of panel members desired, as well as with any desired size and overall shape. 
     Furthermore, a shown in  FIG. 13 , three plate members can be employed with two of the plate members being movable. In this way, added strength and rigidity are provided. If desired, further additional plate members can be used with equal efficacy. 
     In addition, in the embodiments provided, alternate panel member configurations are also depicted, with panel members varying in construction from substantially flat panels, folded panels, and curved panels. Although these configurations are preferred, virtually any other desired alternate construction can be implemented with equal efficacy. In addition, alternate shapes, apertures, and other configurations can be employed in panel members  24  without departing from the scope of this invention. 
     Finally,  FIG. 6  depicts a typical construction for panel  24  wherein panel member  24  comprises a substantially flat construction incorporating flange extensions  37  and  38  formed at the bottom of side edges  35  and  36 , along with a folded tab or flap extending from the length of side edges  35  and  36 . This Figure is provided to clearly and unequivocally depict flaps or tabs incorporated into panel members  24 . By employing this embodiment, tabs or flaps are extended whenever plate member  23  is fully extended, thereby adding rigidity to panels  24  and strength to the assembly. However, any alternate construction or configuration desired can be implemented without departing from the scope of this invention. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above article without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.