Patent ID: 7337909

Claim:
A display and/or storage system constructed for being rapidly converted from a first, flat, planar configuration to a second, substantially erect, three-dimensional configuration, said display/storage system comprising: A. a housing comprising a plurality of interconnected sidewalls, each of said sidewalls being mounted to each other along adjacent edges; B. each of said sidewalls being arcuately pivotable relative to the adjacent sidewall for enabling the housing to be movable from a first, flat, planar configuration to a second, erect, three-dimensional configuration; and C. an interior frame structure a) comprising a plurality of interconnected struts, at least two of said struts being mounted to sidewalls of said housing for cooperating with the sidewalls of the housing and being collapsible into a substantially flat configuration, when said housing is in its first configuration, and being readily formed into a support configuration whenever said housing is moved into its second configuration, b) each of said struts comprising a vertical height which is substantially less than the vertical height of the sidewalls, and c) being positioned in a lower portion of the housing for providing rigidity to the housing and support to a panel member when said panel member is in a second position; D. at least one panel member a) pivotally mounted to one sidewall, b) positioned for arcuate pivoting movement from a first position, wherein said panel member lies in a plane substantially parallel with the planes of the sidewalls, to a second position wherein said panel member is peripherally surrounded by said sidewalls, is substantially perpendicular to the sidewalls for forming a support surface for retaining any desired product in the housing, and is in overlying contacting relationship with the struts forming the interior frame structure for being fully supported thereon and enabling any desirable product to be retained therein, and c) incorporating a tab portion extending from one edge thereof and a cooperating sidewall incorporates a slot formed therein, said slot being positioned for receiving and lockingly engaging the tab portion of the panel member, with said panel member being positioned in overlying contacting engagement with the struts, whereby said panel member is securely locked in a precisely desired position and fully supported on said struts whereby a display and/or storage system is obtained which is quickly and easily converted from a substantially flat, planar configuration, which is easily stored in any desired location, to a fully erect, three-dimensional configuration incorporating a housing, defined by the plurality of interconnected sidewalls, in combination with a supporting panel peripherally surrounded by sidewalls, on which any desired products can be placed.