Abstract:
A display stand is made from continuous bending of a piece of metal round wire or flat stripe. It is configured in a compact storage size prior to usage. By a simple unfolding method, it is expandable to a self-standing full size display stand in an adjustable inclined position during usage. It is adaptable to a base for attaching the display stand to a horizontal or vertical flat surface.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a display stand for displaying an object such as a picture, photo, post card, greeting card, sheet of paper, note book, picture or photo frame, DVD disc, collection plate, . . . etc.  
         [0002]     It is common to display a picture or photo in a conventional, self-standing picture frame. However, there is also a need for a desk top display stand for displaying an un-framed picture or photo, post card or greeting card on a temporary or permanent basis. Particularly, such a display stand can be more convenient and attractive for displaying an odd size or an elongated, paramount-size picture or photo.  
         [0003]     The display stand of present invention is made from continuous bending of a single piece of metal round wire or flat stripe. It is configured in a compact storage size prior to usage. Through a simple unfolding method, it is expandable to a full size, self-standing display stand adjustable in various inclined positions during usage. As a result, the display stand of present invention is very inexpensive and commercially marketable. The display stand of present invention can be configured in various sizes and shapes for extended applications. For an example, besides the usage as a picture, photo or greeting card display stand, it can be configured as a paper holder that holds a sheet or multiple sheets of paper in an up-right position during reading. For another example, it can be configured as a book or note book holder that holds a book or note book in an up-right position during reading. Yet in another example, it can be configured as a display stand for displaying a DVD disc, collection plate, picture or photo frame, book, . . . etc. at homes, offices or stores.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     An object of present invention is to provide an inexpensive display stand that is made from continuous bending of a single metal round wire or flat strip.  
         [0005]     Another object of present invention is to provide such a display stand in a compact storage size, that is expandable to a self-standing, full size display stand during usage.  
         [0006]     Another object of present invention is to provide such a display stand adjustable in various inclined positions during usage.  
         [0007]     Another object of present invention is to provide a display stand capable of displaying a picture, photo, post card or greeting card.  
         [0008]     Another object of present invention is to provide a display stand capable of retaining a sheet of paper in an up-right position.  
         [0009]     Another object of present invention is to provide a display stand capable of displaying a thicker and heavier object such as a DVD disc, collection plate, book, note book, picture or photo frame, . . . etc. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the first preferred embodiments of the display stand in a compact storage-size.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective front view of the first preferred embodiments of the display stand in a first ready-for-use, self-standing, full size.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective front view of the first preferred embodiments of the display stand in a second ready-for-use, self-standing, full size.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the second preferred embodiments of the display stand in a compact storage-size.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the third preferred embodiments of the display stand in a compact storage-size.  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a molded plastic base for attaching the display stand of present invention to a horizontal or vertical flat surface.  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a molded suction cup for attaching the display stand of present invention to a horizontal or vertical flat surface. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the first preferred embodiments of the display stand in a compact storage-size.  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  show a perspective view of the first preferred embodiments of the display stand in a first and second ready-for-use, self-standing, full size respectively. In  FIG. 1 , the display stand  1  is made from continuous bending of a flexible, spring quality metal round wire  2 . The bending configuration includes a first vertical leg  3 , a first bend  4 , a second vertical leg  5 , a second bend  6 , a third horizontal leg  7 , a third bend  8 , a fourth vertical leg  9 , a fourth bend  10 , and a fifth vertical leg  11 . The lower free ends of first and fifth vertical legs  3  and  11  are bent upwardly to form U-hooks  12  and  13  respectively, which are configured for retaining a thin and light weight object, such as a picture, photo, post card or greeting card, . . . etc. All the first, second, fourth and fifth vertical legs  3 , 5 ,  9  and  11  are in approximately same height.  
         [0018]     The first radius bend  4  connects the upper ends of first and second vertical legs  3  and  5 . The first and second vertical legs  3  and  5  are substantially in parallel and in a first vertical plan. The fourth radius bend  10  connects the upper ends of fourth and fifth vertical legs  9  and  11 . The fourth and fifth vertical legs  9  and  11  are substantially in parallel and in a second vertical plan. The second and third radius bends  6  and  8  connect the right and left ends of the third horizontal leg  7  to the lower ends of second and fourth legs  5  and  9  respectively. The second and fourth vertical legs  5  and  9  are substantially in parallel and in a third vertical plan. The first and second vertical plans intersect the third vertical plan at an equal angle that is greater than 90 degree (as viewed from the front of the display stand  1 ), preferably, says 120 degree.  
         [0019]     When converting the display stand  1  from the compact storage size ( FIG. 1 ) to the first self-standing, full size ( FIG. 2 ), the lower ends of first and second vertical legs  3  and  5  are pushed away from each other in the first vertical plan by a first incremental distance; and the lower ends of fourth and fifth vertical legs  9  and  11  are pushed away from each other in the second vertical plan by the same first incremental distance. The inclined position of the display stand  1  in  FIG. 2  is adjustable by adjusting the first incremental distance. Optionally, the upper ends of second and fourth legs  5  and  9  can be pushed further away from each other in the third vertical plan by a second incremental distance, which results in the second self-standing, full size as shown in  FIG. 3 . This second self-standing full size further increases the lateral size of the display stand  1 , as well as the stability of display stand  1  in self-standing position. Obviously, the inclined position of the display stand  1  is adjustable by adjusting the first or second incremental distance. It can be noticed from  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  that the horizontal distance between the lower ends of the front legs (i.e. the first and fifth legs  3  and  11 ) is much greater than the horizontal distance between the lower ends of the rear legs (i.e. the second and fourth legs  5  and  9 ). This is resulted of the fact that the first and second vertical plans intersect the third vertical plan at an equal angle much greater than 90 degree. Such a result increases the stability of the display stand  1  in self-standing position. Since all the first, second, third and fourth bends  4 ,  6 ,  8  and  10  in the compact storage size of display stand I are radius bends, the bending stress at these bend locations, which is resulted of converting the display stand  1  from the compact storage size to the self-standing full size, is significantly reduced. Therefore, the above method of converting the display stand  1  from the compact storage size to the self-standing full size will not cause a breakage at the bend locations.  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the second preferred embodiments of the display stand in a compact storage-size. The display stand  14  of the second preferred embodiments has a configuration similar to that of the display stand  1  in  FIG. 1 . However, the U-hook  12  in display stand  1  ( FIG. 1 ) is now replaced by a fifth bend  15 , a sixth vertical leg  16 , and a first slot cavity  17  in display stand  14  ( FIG. 4 ). Similarly, the U-hook  13  in display stand  1  ( FIG. 1 ) is replaced by a sixth bend  18 , a seventh vertical leg  19 , and a second slot cavity  20  in display stand  14  ( FIG. 4 ). The first and second slot cavities  17  and  20  are configured for retaining a sheet or multiple sheets of papers in an up-right position. Therefore, the height of display stand  14 , i.e. the height of first, second, fourth and fifth vertical legs  21 ,  22 ,  23  and  24 , is preferably at greater than half height of the paper in an up-right position. The display stand  14  in the compact storage size is expandable to multiple self-standing, full sizes according to the same method as previously described for the display stand  1  in the first preferred embodiments.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the third preferred embodiments of the display stand in a compact storage-size. The display stand  25  of the third preferred embodiments has a configuration similar to that of the display stand  1  in  FIG. 1 . However, the U-hook  12  in display stand  1  ( FIG. 1 ) is now replaced by a bracket  26  that comprises of a fifth bend  27 , and a sixth horizontal leg  28 , a sixth bend  29  and a seventh vertical leg  30  in display stand  25 . Similarly, the U-hook  13  in display stand  1  ( FIG. 1 ) is now replaced by a bracket  31  that comprises of a seventh bend  32 , a eighth horizontal leg  33 , a eighth bend  34 , and a ninth vertical leg  35  in display stand  25 . The brackets  26  and  31  are configured for retaining a thicker and heavier object such as a DVD disc, collection plate, picture or photo frame, book or note book, . . . etc. The display stand  25  in the compact storage size is expandable to multiple self-standing, full sizes according to the same method as previously described for the display stand  1  in the first preferred embodiments.  
         [0022]     Preferably, the display stand of present invention is factory fabricated in the compact storage size from bending a metal round wire. Such a reduced storage size offers a significant advantage for commercially marketing the display stand. However, the display stand of present invention can also be factory fabricated in the self-standing, full size. Alternatively, the display stands of present invention can be made from continuously bending and twisting of a single metal flat stripe in lieu of round wire. Twisting of the flat stripe in mid section of a vertical leg can avoid simultaneous twisting and bending at the bend locations, and thus increase the bending strength at the bend locations.  
         [0023]     Even the display stand of present invention is a self-standing stand, it is adaptable to other means that enables the display stand to be securely attached to a horizontal or vertical surface. In  FIG. 6 , a molded plastic plate  36  has a slot cavity  37  at the top surface for engaging with the third horizontal leg of the display stand of present invention. The bottom surface  38  is provided with a two-side pressure sensitive adhesive tape  39 . In  FIG. 7 , a molded suction cup  40  has an integral top projectile  41  with a slot cavity  42  for engaging with the third horizontal leg of the display stand of present invention.  
         [0024]     According to present invention, the display stand can be made in various sizes or shapes depending its applications. A deviation or modification in size or shape is considered within the spirit and scope of present invention.