Abstract:
A modular panel fastening system which has a reduced number of parts, is light weight and requires no specialized training to assemble and disassemble. The system includes a fastening module attached to an end of a first modular panel and a fastener receiving module attached to an end of a second modular panel. Within the fastening module the fastener is attached to a post. The fastener includes a hook which extends out from the edge of the first modular panel. The fastener receiving module has a post and an opening facing away from the second modular panel. The opening is sized to receive the fastener. The post of the fastener receiving module is sized to accept the hook of the fastener. The two panels are brought together with the fastener of the first panel facing the opening of the second panel. Then, the hook is placed inside the opening at a point above the post inside the fastener receiving module. Next, the first panel is moved downward so the hook engages the post. This securely fastens the first panel to the second panel.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. The Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates generally to the display of product and services at trade shows and the like, and more specifically to a novel system for fastening modular panels used for displaying products and services.  
           [0003]    2. Technical Background  
           [0004]    Many methods of advertising and marketing are known in the art. One method which has proven to be highly successful, particularly when new products, services or a new company is desired to be introduced within a certain industry, is the trade show. Hundreds of trade shows are conducted annually throughout the United States and the world. The industry trade show provides an opportunity for manufacturers and sellers of goods within a particular industry to display their goods. The trade show also provides the opportunity for buyers of specific types of goods to have access to multiple suppliers at one time and in one location.  
           [0005]    Trade shows are typically held in a convention hall or arena. A typical trade show catering to a specific industry comprises a large open area which is physically separated into several booths, each booth being occupied by a vendor.  
           [0006]    Businesses within or dealing with the subject industry are invited to observe and/or sample the products and services offered by the vendors. However, those displaying at a trade show must work with the minimal equipment provided in order to set up a display.  
           [0007]    Businesses displaying at trade shows often base a significant percentage of their direct orders on contacts made at trade shows. Accordingly, vendors must be mindful not only that the goods and/or services which they offer are of the finest quality, but also that their booth presentation is appealing to the target buyer. Often, the amount of time, effort and money which is spent on the presentation of the vendor&#39;s wares rivals that spent on the manufacturing of those same wares.  
           [0008]    Vendors frequently use modular paneling as part of their presentation display. Modular paneling is used to divide one vendor&#39;s booth from another vendor&#39;s booth and as mounted or freestanding display units. The modular paneling allows vendors to assemble, disassemble, and transport their displays from one location to another.  
           [0009]    However, these systems are difficult to assemble. Many modular systems employ small parts that may be easily lost causing frustration to the user. The modular systems are difficult to assemble and may require multiple users for assembly. Often the method of assembly is complex requiring a considerable level of skill and specialized tools. Also, the time required for assembly or disassembly is substantial.  
           [0010]    Furthermore, because the modular panels are used for display in the busy, congested environment of a convention, the panels must be fastened securely and be able to withstand significant stress. Unfortunately, the current fastening systems can become unfastened or break causing the panels to collapse.  
           [0011]    Accordingly, it would be a significant advancement in the art to provide a fastening system, with easy to assemble modular panels. It would be a further advancement in the art to provide a system wherein the fastening system is integrated into the modular panels such that there are no small parts to lose. It would be an additional advancement to provide a fastening system whereby a single user with no specialized skills or tools could rapidly assemble and disassemble the modular panels. It would be yet another advancement in the art to provide a fastening system able to withstand significant stress.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    The system of the present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available modular panel fastening systems. Thus, the present invention provides a modular panel fastening system which integrates the fastener components into the modular panel, may be assembled and disassembled by one person, and requires little skill to assemble.  
           [0013]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the modular panel fastening system includes a fastening module attached to a first end of a modular panel and a fastener receiving module attached to second end of a modular panel. In the preferred embodiment, the fastening module is attached to the end of a first modular panel and the fastener receiving module is attached to the end of a second modular panel. The fastening module and fastener receiving module may be located at any point along an edge of the modular panel. Preferably, these modules are located on the corners of the modular panels.  
           [0014]    The fastening module and fastener receiver module cooperate to fasten a first modular panel to a second modular panel. Alternatively, the modular panel fastening system may be used to fasten two ends of a single flexible modular panel to each other. The fastening module is attached to the frame of a first modular panel and the fastener receiving module is attached to the frame of a second modular panel. In an alternative embodiment, there may be a plurality of fastening modules attached to the frame of the first modular panel and a corresponding plurality of fastener receiving modules attached to the frame of the second modular panel.  
           [0015]    The fastening module includes a housing, a post fixed within the housing, and a fastener secured to the post. The fastener sits partially within the housing, with a portion of the fastener extending from the housing. The fastener serves to engage a post of the fastener receiving module such that the two modules are joined together.  
           [0016]    The fastener includes a body, a chamber within the body sized to accommodate the post of the fastening module, and a pair of post engaging members which are formed as part of the fastener body. The pair of post engaging members extend into the chamber of the fastener. The fastener may also include two shoulders, one on the front surface of the fastener and the second one on the back surface of the fastener.  
           [0017]    Preferably, the fastener is a separate piece from the housing or post pieces of the fastening module. The fastener is generally rectangular in shape having the chamber on one side within the body and a protruding member on the other side of the body. The protruding member is shaped in the form of a hook. The hook is sized to surround the majority of a second post located within the fastener receiving module. The fastener and the second post may be made of any combination of materials which enables the hook of the fastener to snap around the second post. These materials include hard plastic, metal alloys, or the like.  
           [0018]    The fastener receiving module is preferably made of the same components as the fastener module. The fastener receiving module includes a housing and a post. Preferably, the housing and post are in substantially the same shape and location as the housing and post of the fastening module.  
           [0019]    To assemble the modular panel fastening system the fastening module is brought in close proximity to the fastener receiving module. The fastening module is positioned to face the fastener receiving module. The fastener of the fastening module is inserted into a cavity within the fastener receiving module such that the hook of the fastener is positioned atop the post of the fastener receiving module. The user assembling the modular panel fastening system then applies a downward force to the fastening module such that the hook of the fastening module snaps around the post of the fastener receiving module. The snapping around the post secures the fastening module to the fastener receiving module. Thus, the end of one modular panel is fastened to the end of a second modular panel.  
           [0020]    In an alternative embodiment, the modular panel fastening system further includes a tongue and a groove. Tongue and groove assemblies are well known. Preferably, the tongue is attached to an end of a first modular panel and the groove is attached to an end of a second modular panel. Alternatively, the tongue and groove may be attached to opposite ends of a single modular panel. The tongue and groove may be sized to extend the majority of the length of their respective ends of the modular panels. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of corresponding tongues and grooves may be attached to the ends of first and second modular panels.  
           [0021]    The tongue fits within the groove to provide additional securement support between the ends of the two modular panels. The tongue is configured to fit securely within the groove. The more tightly the tongue fits within the groove, the higher the resistance of a joined tongue and groove to tear and/or shear forces which are placed on the fastening system. The tongue and groove are made from material common in the art, including hard plastic, rubber, metal, and other like materials.  
           [0022]    Alternatively, the tongue may include a pair of lips which engage a corresponding pair of lips formed within the groove. When the tongue is placed within the groove, the lips of the tongue interlock with the lips of the groove to provide effective fastening of the tongue within the groove. A pair of lips on the tongue and a corresponding pair of lips on the inside walls of the groove provide stronger fastening than a tongue and groove configuration without lips.  
           [0023]    The tongue and groove cooperate with the fastening module and fastener receiving module to secure the two modular panels against shearing and/or tearing forces the modular panel fastening system may experience. The hook and post configuration between the fastening module and the fastener receiving module together with the joined tongue and groove complement each other in keeping the two modular panels fastened together.  
           [0024]    The location of the fastening module, fastener receiving module, tongue, and groove may vary considerably. However, a fastening module and a fastener receiving module and a tongue and groove make up a fastening pair. The fastening features of one member of a fastening pair may not exist without the pair&#39;s match. Therefore, for each fastening module, fastener receiving module, tongue or groove positioned along one side of a first modular panel a corresponding fastening module, fastener receiving module, tongue or groove must be positioned on the second modular panel.  
           [0025]    Preferably, the fastening modules and tongue are positioned on the end of the same modular panel while fastener receiving modules and grooves are correspondingly positioned on the end of a second modular panel. This configuration facilitates assembly of the modular panels into a display because the members with protruding features are on one panel while members which receive protruding features are the other panel. This configuration makes it easier for the user to align the fastening modules and tongue on one modular panel with the fastener receiving module and groove of the second modular panel.  
           [0026]    In the preferred embodiment, a fastening module is located on each corner of one side of a first modular panel with a tongue running the length of the end of the panel located between the corners. A corresponding fastener receiving module is located on each corner of a second module panel with a groove running the length of the end of the second panel located between the corners. This arrangement facilitates the joining of the first panel to the second panel.  
           [0027]    In the present invention, joining two modular panels is a simple process. A first modular panel having fastening modules on two corners of one end and tongue between the two corners is positioned in the booth of a trade show. A second modular panel having fastener receiving modules on two corners of one end and a groove between the two corners is positioned such that the end of the second modular panel faces the end of the first modular panel. The two facing ends are then brought into close proximity. The user lifts the first panel a few inches vertically and slides the first panel closer to the second panel. Next, the user guides the hooks of the two fastening modules into cavities within the fastener receiving modules and the tongue into the groove as the user brings the two facing ends closer together. Once the tongue is inside the groove, the two facing ends are close enough to secure the hooks of the fastening modules to the posts of fastener receiving modules. This is done by applying a downward force on the first panel. The downward force causes the hooks to engage the posts. The two modular panels are now fastened in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]    The foregoing and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 1 is an elevation view of two modular panels fastened according to the present invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the main components of the fastening module.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 3 is a cut away view illustrating an installed fastening module.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a fastener of the fastening module.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 5 is a cut away elevation view illustrating two panels positioned to be fastened according to the present invention.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 6 is an elevation view illustrating a fastener which is positioned to engage a post of a fastener receiving module of the fastening system.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 7 is an elevation view illustrating a fastener beginning to engage a post of a fastener receiving module of the fastening system.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 8 is an elevation view illustrating a fastener having fully engaged a post of a fastener receiving module of the fastening system.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 9 is a plan view of the assembled fastening system. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0038]    Reference is now made to the drawings in which like components are designated with like reference numbers throughout. Referring first to FIG. 1, an assembled modular panel system  10  is illustrated. A freestanding system  10  is illustrated consisting of two modular panels  12 . One panel  12  is curved so that it renders the system  10  freestanding. The panels  12  may also be fastened to a wall or other support. Alternatively, the panels  12  may be straight and fitted with feet to render the panels freestanding. Or, the panels  12  may be fastened at an angle to render the system  10  freestanding. While FIG. 1 illustrates two panels  12 , any number of panels  12  may be used of a straight, curved, or angled nature and still be consistent with the present invention. For example, a panel  12  may be made of flexible materials such that one end is capable of fastening with the opposite end of the same panel. Thereby, rendering a single panel freestanding.  
         [0039]    Preferably, a majority of the components of the present invention are fabricated from hard plastic. Plastic is used because of its light weight, rigid nature, and low cost. Other materials are preferred where plastic does not meet the functional characteristics required of the component. In other embodiments, the present invention components may be fabricated from any rigid material such as wood, metal, hard rubber, fiber glass or the like.  
         [0040]    A frame  14  defines the perimeter of the panel  12 . The frame  14  is constructed from rigid plastic molded into strips and cut to size. Frame  14  encompasses a body  16  of the panel  12 . The body  16  is made from semi-flexible plastic and covered with a display surface  17 . The display surface  17  may be made of a various materials including fabric loop, fabric, dry-erase marker material, either half of velcro material, steel, and like materials such that information may be affixed to the display surface  17 .  
         [0041]    In FIG. 1, fastening modules  28  are located at or near corners  29  of the frame  14 . Alternatively, the fastening modules  28  may be located at any position along the frame  14 . The system  10  may comprise one or more fastening modules  28 . For each fastening module  28  there is a corresponding fastener receiving module  58  located on a second panel  12 .  
         [0042]    Referring now to FIG. 2, a fastening module  28  comprises a housing  21  having two sides  23 , a post  32  and a fastener  30  (in phantom). The housing  21  fixedly secures the fastener  30  by way of the post  32  and lips  24  which run along the perimeter of each housing side  23 . The post  32  positions the fastener  30  between the housing sides  23 . Preferably, the housing  21  is made from two separate housing sides  23 . Alternatively, the housing  21  may be formed as a single piece with the post  32  formed between the two housing  21  sides.  
         [0043]    The entire post  32  could also be formed as part of one housing side  23  and the other housing side  23  comprising a receiving hole configured to fit tightly on to the free end of the post  32 . Preferably, an interlocking half post  31  is formed as part of each housing side  23 . The housing  21  is assembled by positioning the fastener  30  around one half post  31 , and then joining one half post  31  to the other to form a complete post  32 . Next, the housing sides  23  are pressed together to lock one half post  31  to the other. The two housing sides  23  are held together by the inter-locking half posts  31  and the structure of the frame  14  (see FIG. 1.) The post  32  separates the two housing sides  23  such that a cavity  22  is formed. The cavity  22  is sized to correspond to the width of the fastener  30 .  
         [0044]    Preferably, a fastener receiving module  58  comprises all the components of the fastening module  28  except the fastener  30 . Therefore, a fastener receiving module  58  may be illustrated by reference to FIG. 2. The post  32  of the fastener receiving module  28  is sized and configured within the housing  21  in the same manner as the post  32  of the fastening module  28 . The cavity  22  of the fastener receiving module  58  is sized to receive the hook  36  of a fastener  30 . Having the fastening module  28  and fastener receiving module  58  comprise substantially the same components facilitates fabrication and maintenance of the modular panels. The difference between the two modules is the absence or presence of a fastener  30 . Fastening modules  28  and fastener receiving modules  58  are interchangeable. This saves time and money for the manufacturer.  
         [0045]    Referring generally to FIG. 3 and specifically to FIG. 4, a fastener  30  comprises a body  37 , a hook  36 , a chamber  39 , and a pair of post engaging members  42 . These are described in detail below. These parts are important to better understand FIG. 3.  
         [0046]    Referring now specifically to FIG. 3, an assembled fastening module  28  is illustrated. This close-up, cut away view illustrates the fastening module  28  in detail. The illustrated fastening module  28  is configured to fit on the corner  29  of a frame  14 . Alternatively, the fastening module may be configured to allow positioning at any point along the frame  14 . FIG. 3 illustrates, by the cut away portion, how the post  32  is positioned within the chamber  39  of the body  37  of the fastener  30 . The position and orientation of the hook  36  are also illustrated.  
         [0047]    In assembling the fastening module  28  illustrated in FIG. 3, the fastener  30  may be affixed to the post  32  before the two housing sides  23  are assembled. The fastener  30  is fixed to the post  32  by positioning the free end of a first post half  31  in a chamber  39  of a fastener  30  between the opposing post engaging members  42  and sliding the fastener  30  over the first post half  31  until the fastener  30  rests on the housing side  23  that is secured to the first post half  31 . Then, the free end of a second post half  31  is positioned in the chamber  39  between the opposing post engaging members  42 . Next, the two housing sides  23  are pressed firmly together to lock the post halves  31 . Alternatively, the fastener  30  may be positioned around the post  32  by passing the two post halves  31  through the chamber  39  and assembling the two fastening housing sides  23 . Then, the post  32  is slid between the post engaging members  42  until the post  32  snaps into place and rests on the faces  44  of the post engaging members  42 .  
         [0048]    Referring now to FIG. 4, a fastener  30  comprises a body  37 , a hook  36 , a chamber  39 , and a pair of post engaging members  42 . Body  37  is configured with shoulders  46  which hold the fastener  30  tightly against the frame  14  (see FIG. 3.) Shoulders  46  prevent rotational movement of the fastener  30  about the longitudinal axis of the post  32 . The body  37  also includes a rim  40 . Rim  40  ensures proper separation of the housing sides  23  (see FIG. 3.)  
         [0049]    Chamber  39  is formed within the center of the body  37  and extends towards one end. A hook  36  extends out from the end opposite the chamber  39 . Within the chamber  39  are a pair of opposing post engaging members  42 . The post engaging members  42  extend from the sides of the body  37  into the chamber  39  to face each other. Preferably, the post engaging members are formed as part of the body  37 . The post engaging members  42  are configured with a rounded face  44  and sized such that a circular post  32  (see FIG. 3) fits tightly on the rounded faces  44  between the opposing post engaging members  42 .  
         [0050]    Referring still to FIG. 4, the end of the body  37  opposite the chamber  39  is configured to form hook  36 . At the distal end of hook  36 , interference portion  38  projects downward and substantially toward the center of the body  37 . The hook  36  and interference portion  38  form a slot  34  between them. Hook  36  and interference portion  38  are configured such that slot  34  may snappingly engage a post  32 . Hook  36  serves as a main support structure to secured the two panels  12  together.  
         [0051]    Referring now to FIG. 5, panels  12  are secured together by fastening module  28  and fastener receiving module  58 . In order to secure the panels  12 , a user inserts hook  36  of fastening module  28  of a first panel  12  into cavity  22  of fastener receiving module  58  of a second panel  12 . FIG. 5 illustrates the positions of the panels  12 , the fastening modules  28 , the fastener receiving modules  58 , and the tongue  18  and groove  20  just before the hooks  36  engage the posts  32  of the fastener receiving modules  58 .  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 6 illustrates in detail how hook  36  engages post  32  of a fastener receiving module  58 . The positioning of the panels, as illustrated in FIG. 5, brings hook  36  into the position illustrated in FIG. 6. The dashed lines illustrate where the housing sides  23  may be located in relation to the hook  36  and post  32 . Hook  36  rests on top of post  32 . When interference portion  38  of hook  36  encounters post  32  an interference angle  48  is formed. Interference portion  38  prevents the post  32  from entering slot  34 .  
         [0053]    Referring now to FIGS.  1 - 6  generally and specifically to FIG. 7, completing assembly requires a user to apply a downward force F d  to the hook  36 . This force is best applied by pushing the panel that has the fastening module attached downward (see FIG. 3.) As a user applies downward force F d  on the hook  36 , the interference angle  48  (in FIG. 6) causes the downward force F d  to be translated such that the post  32  is acted upon by force F 1  and hook  36  is acted upon by force F 2  in the opposite direction. The forces F 1  and F 2  cause the interference portion  38  of the hook  36  to be deflected in the amount of the interference deflection  50  and interference angle  48  (see FIG. 6) to become interference angle  49 . As the user continues to apply a downward force, the interference deflection  50  allows the post  32  to slide past the interference portion  38  into slot  34 .  
         [0054]    Reference is now made to FIGS.  1 - 7  generally and specifically to FIG. 8. Once the post  32  has slid past the interference portion  38 , the post  32  and hook  36  rebound elastically to their previous positions. The post  32  is held securely in the slot  34  until a user applies upward pressure reversing the process.  
         [0055]    Referring to FIG. 9, a plan view of the fastening module  28  and fastener receiving module  58  is illustrated. The posts  32  of the first and second panels  12  are illustrated in phantom. Post securing members  42  are secured around post  32  of the first panel  12  thus placing the fastener  30  in contact with the frame  14  of the first panel  12 . Hook  36  of the fastener  30  holds the post  32  of the second panel  12  in slot  34 . Interface  60  is formed by the tight meeting of the frames  14  of the first and second panels  12 . When the system  10  is in use, the panels  12  are exposed to a side to side sheer force F 5 . The tight interface  60 , the tongue  18 , the groove  20 , and the fastener  30  all combine to withstand sheer force F 5  and strengthen the system  10 .  
         [0056]    Referring more specifically to FIG. 5, additional support for the assembled system  10  is provided by the tongue  18  and groove  20  of the frame  14 . A tongue  18  is positioned along the frame  14  of one panel  12 . A corresponding groove  20  is positioned in the second panel  12  along the side  26  which faces the tongue  18  of the first panel  12 . The tongue  18  and groove  20  are sized and configured such that when the system  10  is assembled the tongue  18  fits securely in groove  20  to stabilize the system  10 . Alternatively, the tongue  18  and groove  20  may have lips sized and configured such that joining the tongue  18  within the groove  20  causes the lips of the tongue  18  to interlock with the lips of the groove  20 . The interlocking lips improve the stabilizing ability of the tongue  18  and groove  20 . The tongue  18  and its corresponding groove  20  run the length of the side  26  between the two corners  29 . There may be a plurality of tongues  18  located at any point along a side  26  and a corresponding plurality of grooves  20  located at any point along a second side  26 .  
         [0057]    The tongue  18  and groove  20  aide in alignment of hook  36  during assembly. As the user brings the first panel  12  toward the second panel  12 , positioning the tongue  18  within the groove  20  aides in the alignment of the hook  36  inside the cavity  22  of the fastener receiving module  58 . The tongue  18  within the groove  20  and the hook  36  within the cavity  22  help to guide the protruding members of the first panel into the corresponding receiving members of the second panel  12 . The tongue  18  and groove  20  give additional support and strength to the assembled system that allows the system  10  to withstand considerable stress.  
         [0058]    From the above discussion, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides a system for fastening modular panels. The fastening system is integrated into the panels thereby eliminating the need for additional hardware and tools for assembling the panels. The fastening system allows the panels to be rapidly assembled and disassembled by an unskilled user.  
         [0059]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.