Patent Publication Number: US-2007119492-A1

Title: Collapsible signage structures

Description:
RELATED CASES  
      This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending Ser. No. 10/872,927, filed Jun. 21, 2004, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/438,679, filed May 15, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,163, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/150,358, filed May 16, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,185, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/847,248, filed May 2, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,111, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/633,947, filed Aug. 8, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,269,826, which is a division of Ser. No. 09/162,086, filed Sep. 28, 1998, abandoned, which is a division of Ser. No. 08/859,876, filed May 21, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,279, which is a division of Ser. No. 08/627,875, filed Apr. 3, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,596, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/281,369, filed Jul. 27, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,385, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08/024,690, filed Mar. 1, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,794, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/764,784, filed Sep. 24, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,705, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by this reference as though set forth fully herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to collapsible structures, and in particular, to collapsible signage and barrier structures which may be provided in a variety of shapes and sizes. The collapsible structures may be twisted and folded to reduce the overall size of the structures to facilitate convenient storage and use.  
      2. Description of the Prior Art  
      U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,301,705 and 5,816,279 illustrate examples of collapsible structures that can be used for a variety of different applications. For example, the structures shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,301,705 and 5,816,279 have been used as shelters, toy structures, tents, hunting blinds, hampers, storage units, and covers, among other devices.  
      There are many signage structures provided for use in the marketplace. Most of the conventional signage products are comprised of plastic panels having the desired words or message(s) imprinted on the surfaces of these plastic panels. Unfortunately, plastic panels can be bulky and heavy. In particular, where the signage needs to be larger, larger plastic panels can be very inconvenient and difficult to use, as well as being expensive.  
      Similarly, many barriers are erected to shield or keep construction sites, precious objects or dangerous objects away from people. Other barriers are used to define a path of travel or motion for people. Unfortunately, most of these conventional barriers are made from wood, plastic or metal, so that these barriers are heavy, bulky, expensive and not conveniently transportable.  
      In light of the above, there still remains a need for signage and barriers that can be provided in a convenient, light-weight and cost-effective manner.  
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE  
      In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, the collapsible structure according to the present invention comprises at least three panels, each panel comprising a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric covering portions of each frame member to form the panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. The panels are connected to each other along their side edges to form a ring of panels that enclose a space. An image can be provided on the fabric of at least one of the panels, and a weight can be coupled to at least one of the panels. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a collapsible structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 1A  is a partial cut-away view of the section A of the structure of  FIG. 1  illustrating a frame member retained within a sleeve.  
       FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view of a first preferred connection between two adjacent panels of the structure of  FIG. 1  taken along line  2 - 2  thereof.  
       FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view of a second preferred connection between two adjacent panels of the structure of  FIG. 1  taken along line  2 - 2  thereof.  
      FIGS.  3 (A) through  3 (E) illustrate how the collapsible structure of  FIG. 1  may be twisted and folded for compact storage.  
       FIGS. 4-6  illustrate different embodiments of the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.  
      As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 1 A, the basic component for a collapsible structure according to the present invention comprises a module  20 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the module  20  comprises four side panels  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  and  22   d  connected to each other to encircle an enclosed space. Each side panel  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  and  22   d  has four sides, a left side  26   a , a bottom side  26   b , a right side  26   c  and a top side  26   d . Each side panel  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  and  22   d  has a continuous frame retaining sleeve  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c  or  24   d  provided along and traversing the four edges of its four sides  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c  and  26   d . A continuous frame member  28   a ,  28   b ,  28   c  or  28   d  is retained or held within each frame retaining sleeve  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c  or  24   d , respectively, to support each side panel  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  and  22   d . Only the frame member  28   c  is shown in  FIG. 1A ; the other frame members  28   a ,  28   b  and  28   d  are not shown but are the same as frame member  28   c.    
      The continuous frame members  28   a ,  28   b ,  28   c  and  28   d  may be provided as one continuous loop, or may comprise a strip of material connected at both ends to form a continuous loop. The continuous frame members  28   a ,  28   b ,  28   c  and  28   d  are preferably formed of flexible coilable steel, although other materials such as plastics may also be used. The frame members should be made of a material which is relatively strong and yet is flexible to a sufficient degree to allow it to be coiled. Thus, each frame member  28   a ,  28   b ,  28   c  and  28   d  is capable of assuming two positions or orientations, an open or expanded position such as shown in  FIG. 1 , or a folded position in which the frame member is collapsed into a size which is much smaller than its open position (see  FIG. 3 (E)).  
      Fabric or sheet material  30   a ,  30   b ,  30   c  and  30   d  extends across each side panel  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  and  22   d , respectively, and is held taut by the respective frame members  28   a ,  28   b ,  28   c  and  28   d  when in its open position. The term fabric is to be given its broadest meaning and should be made from strong, lightweight materials and may include woven fabrics, sheet fabrics or even films. The fabric should be water-resistant and durable to withstand the wear and tear associated with rough treatment. The frame members  28   a ,  28   b ,  28   c  and  28   d  may be merely retained within the respective frame retaining sleeves  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c  and  24   c  without being connected thereto. Alternatively, the frame retaining sleeves  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c  and  24   d  may be mechanically fastened, stitched, fused, or glued to the frame members  28   a ,  28   b ,  28   c  and  28   d , respectively, to retain them in position.  
       FIG. 2A  illustrates one possible connection for connecting adjacent edges of two side panels  22   a  and  22   d . The fabric pieces  30   a  and  30   d  are stitched at their edges by a stitching  34  to the respective sleeves  24   a  and  24   d . Each sleeve  24   a  and  24   d  may be formed by folding a piece of fabric. The stitching  34  also acts as a hinge for the side panels  22   a  and  22   d  to be folded upon each other, as explained below. The connections for the three other pairs of adjacent edges may be identical. Thus, the connections on the left side  26   a  and the right side  26   c  of each side panel  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  and  22   d  act as hinge connections for connecting an adjacent side panel.  
      At the top side  26   d  and the bottom side  26   b  of each side panel  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  and  22   d , where there is no hinge connection to an adjacent side panel, the frame retaining sleeve  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c  or  24   b  may be formed by merely folding over the corresponding fabric piece and applying a stitching  35  (see  FIG. 1A ). The fabric piece for the corresponding side panel may then be stitched to the sleeve.  
       FIG. 2B  illustrates another possible connection for connecting adjacent edges of two side panels  22   a  and  22   d . As in the connection of  FIG. 2A , the fabric pieces  30   a  and  30   d  are folded over at their edges at bottom side  26   b  and top side  26   d  to define the respective sleeves  24   a  and  24   d . However, the frame retaining sleeves  24   a  and  24   d  converge at, or are connected to, one sleeve portion which interconnects side panels  22   a  and  22   d  to form a singular frame retaining sleeve  40  which retains the frame members  28   a  and  28   d . Sleeve  40  may be formed by providing a tubular fabric, or by folding a piece of fabric, and applying a stitching  42  to its edges to connect the sleeve  40  to the fabric pieces  30   a  and  30   d . Stitching  42  acts as a hinge for the side panels  22   a  and  22   d . The connections for the three other pairs of adjacent edges may be identical.  
      An optional upper panel  32  comprised of fabric  30   e  may also be connected to the upper edge  26   d  of each side panel  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  and  22   d . The upper panel  32  is preferably made of the same type of fabric as the side panels  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  and  22   d.    
      Openings  38  may be provided in some or all of the panels  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d  and  32 . These openings  38  may be of any shape (e.g., triangular, circular, rectangular, square, diamond, etc.) and size. These openings  38  allow air to pass through them so that the structure  20  can be less susceptible to being toppled if a blast of wind were to blow directly at the structure  20 .  
      While the module  20  of  FIG. 1  is shown and described as having four side panels, each having four sides, it will be appreciated that a module may be made of any number of side panels, each having any number of sides, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, each module may have three or more side panels, and each side panel may have three or more sides (see  FIG. 5 ). Thus, the module of the present invention may take a variety of external shapes. However, each side panel of the module, regardless of its shape, is supported by at least one continuous frame member.  
      FIGS.  3 (A) through  3 (E) describe the various steps for folding and collapsing the module  20  of  FIG. 1  for storage. In  FIG. 3 (A), the first step consists of pushing in side panels  22   a  and  22   d  such that side panel  22   d  collapses upon side panel  22   c  and side panel  22   a  collapses upon side panel  22   b . Then, in the second step shown in  FIG. 3 (B), the two side panels  22   a  and  22   b  are folded so as to be collapsed upon the two side panels  22   c  and  22   d , to form a stack of four flat panels  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d . The structure is then twisted and folded to collapse the frame members and side panels into a smaller shape. In the third step shown in  FIG. 3 (C), the opposite border  44  of the structure is folded in upon the previous fold to further collapse the frame members with the side panels. As shown in  FIG. 3 (D), the fourth step is to continue the collapsing so that the initial size of the structure is reduced.  FIG. 3 (E) shows the fifth step with the frame members and side panels collapsed on each other to provide for a small essentially compact configuration having a plurality of concentric frame members and layers of the side panels so that the collapsed structure has a size which is a fraction of the size of the initial structure.  
       FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment where the module  20  of  FIGS. 1-3E  can be used as a collapsible sign. Since the structure  120  in  FIG. 4  has the same construction as the structure  20  in  FIG. 1 , the same numerals will be used to designate the same elements in  FIGS. 1 and 4  except than a “1” will be added to precede the numerals in  FIG. 4 . The sign structure  120  has four panels  122   a ,  122   b ,  122   c ,  122   d  that can have the same construction and hinged connections as the panels  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d  in  FIGS. 1-3E , except that the shape of the panels  122   a ,  122   b ,  122   c ,  122   d  is modified. Specifically, the top side  126   d  of each panel is shorter than the bottom side  126   b  of each panel so that the structure  120  has a generally truncated pyramidal configuration. Also, the upper panel  32  can be omitted from the structure  120 .  
      Openings  138  can be provided in one or more panels  122   a ,  122   b ,  122   c ,  122   d , and these openings  138  can be similar to the openings  38 . In addition, flaps  155  can be provided in some of these openings  138 . The flaps  155  can be formed by providing a U-shaped cut on the fabric  130 , and these flaps  155  function to allow some air to pass through, but not as much air as if the opening  138  were not covered by a flap  155 .  
      Images  125  can be provided on some or all of the panels  122   a ,  122   b ,  122   c ,  122   d  to deliver the intended message. As used herein, the word “image(s)” shall include depictions, letters, illustrations and words. For example, the image(s)  125  can contain the name of a restaurant or store so that the structure  120  can be used as a sign for a restaurant or store. As other examples, the image(s)  125  can contain instructions (e.g., “DO NOT ENTER”, “TURN LEFT TO HALEY&#39;S BIRTHDAY PARTY”, etc.), warnings (e.g., “WET”), advertisements, novelty images (e.g., a smiling face), banners (e.g., the school enblem for a university or professional sports team), and announcements (e.g., “BIRTHDAY PARTY CANCELED”), among others.  
      The image(s)  125  can be provided on a patch that can removably attached to the outer surface of the fabric  130  via a removable connection mechanism (not shown), such as but not limited to VELCRO™ pads, hooks, snaps, detachable zippers, and fasteners, among others. Thus, the structure  120  can be used to display a variety of different image(s) at different times by changing the images  125 , depending upon the desires of the user.  
      A handle  145  can be provided along the top sides of the panels  122   a ,  122   b ,  122   c ,  122   d  for lifting the structure  120 .  
      In addition, a weight  150  can be provided adjacent the corners of the bottom sides  126   b  of each panel  122   a ,  122   b ,  122   c ,  122   d . The weight  150  can be embodied in the form of a plastic or metal rod, a beanie bag, or any object that has enough weight to provide stability to the structure  120 . The weight  150  can be retained inside a pocket  152  that is sewn to the inside or outside of the fabric  130 . The weight  150  can access the pocket  152  via a pocket opening  154 . The weights  150  function to provide greater stability to the sign structure  120  to prevent it from being toppled when in use. Thus, the number and actual weight of these weights  150  can be distributed and arranged in a manner to optimize the stability provided to the structure  120  when it is deployed for use in the configuration shown in  FIG. 4 .  
      The structure  120  can be folded and collapsed in the manner illustrated in connection with  FIGS. 3A-3E . To deploy the structure  120  for use, the panels  122   a ,  122   b ,  122   c ,  122   d  are opened, and the spring memory of the frame members of the panels will cause the panels to spring open to the open or expanded position. The user can then separate the panels  122   a ,  122   b ,  122   c ,  122   d  into the orientation shown in  FIG. 1  and then insert the weights  150  into the pockets  152 , and the structure  120  is ready for use as a signage structure.  
       FIG. 5  illustrates a signage structure  220  that is essentially the same in construction as the structure  120 , so the same numerals will be used to designate the same elements in  FIGS. 4 and 5  except than a “2” will precede the numerals in  FIG. 5 . The structure  220  has only three panels  222   a ,  222   b ,  222   c . To accomodate three (as opposed to four) panels, one of the hinged connections  234  can be a removable connection (e.g., the side edges are connected by a VELCRO™, hook, or other similar removable connection) so that the connection between the panels  222   a ,  222   c  can be removed and the three panels  222   a ,  222   b ,  222   c  can be subsequently folded one on top of each other to provide a stack of three flat panels  222   a ,  222   b ,  222   c  that can be folded and collapsed according to the steps illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3E . Openings  238  (and flaps  255 ), and image(s)  225 , can be provided in one or more of the panels  222   a ,  222   b ,  222   c , and weights  250  (e.g., sand) can be provided in pockets  252  that extend along the entire length of the bottom side  226   b  of the panels  222   a ,  222   b ,  222   c.    
       FIG. 6  illustrates how the module  20  shown in  FIG. 1  can be further modified to function as a protective barrier. In particular, the enclosed space defined by the ring of panels can be used to retain or surround an object or area that either poses danger or requires protection, with the panels functioning to prevent access to the object or area. For example, the structure  320  can be the same as the structure  20 , so the same numerals will be used to designate the same elements in  FIGS. 1 and 6  except than a “3” is added to precede the numerals in  FIG. 6 . The upper panel  32  can be omitted from the structure  320 . The panels  322   a ,  322   b ,  322   c ,  322   d  of the structure  320  encircle or enclose an object  360  from which access is to be denied. For example, the object  360  can be a museum exhibit, with the structure  320  functioning as a barricade or wall. As another example, the object  360  can be a construction item, with the structure  320  functioning to protect or shield people from the object  360 .  
      As an alternative, additional panels  322   e ,  322   f  can be hingedly connected to any of the other hinged connections to provide additional walls, partitions or barricades for use. These additional panels  322   e ,  322   f  can have the same construction as any of the panels  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d , and the hinged connection to any of the existing hinged connections can be the same as those illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B of U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,385.  
      Openings  338  (and flaps), and image(s)  325 , can be provided in one or more of the panels  322   a ,  322   b ,  322   c ,  322   d ,  322   e ,  322   f , and weights can be provided in pockets  352  that are provided in the corners (or they can extend along the entire length) of the bottom side  326   b  of one or more of the panels  322   a ,  322   b ,  322   c ,  322   d ,  322   e . The image(s)  325  can be warning messages or descriptions of the protected item, among others.  
      While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.