GB2533763A

GB2533763A - Display stand

Info

Publication number: GB2533763A
Application number: GB1419723.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fletcher Kathleen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-11-05
Filing date: 2014-11-05
Publication date: 2016-07-06
Also published as: GB201419723D0

Abstract

A display stand 10 comprising a plurality of tubular sections 12 displaceable between a nested and an extended configuration and means for supporting the sections in the extended configuration, whereby articles to be displayed may be affixed to an outer surface of the sections. The sections may comprise end regions arranged to frictionally engage with adjacent regions of other sections in the extended configuration, and means may be provided for locking each section to adjacent sections when extended. The sections may be flexible and arranged to radially collapse, and may fold flat when collapsed. An elongate flexible member may extend between the sections to limit their axial extension. The sections may be tapered, frusto-conical, and concentric and the upper section may be conical. The stand may comprise means for affixing articles to the outer surfaces e.g. hooks or clips. The sections may be provided with apertures and may be formed from a perforable material.

Description

Display Stand This invention relates to a display stand.

Conventional display stands are known for supporting a plurality of articles, such that they are visible and/or accessible. Whilst there are a plethora of shapes and sizes of stands currently available, they generally contain some feature arranged to support or affix the article to the stand, such as a shelf, pin or hook. Further stands tend to be comprised in such a way that they can be easily taken apart and stored, should the need arise.

Display stands often need to be aesthetically pleasing, as well as, in the case of commercial displays, eye-catching. Generally this is achieved by design of shape, as well as size. A further requirement of modern stands is the need for collapsibility, such that they can be significantly reduced in size as well as being light, either for transportation or storage. A common issue with large display stands is that they can be bulky and heavy, thereby making them costly and difficult to transport.

We have now devised a display stand which is arranged to support a plurality of articles and which allows the user to significantly reduce the volume of space required to store the stand when switching from a display configuration to a stored 20 configuration.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a display stand comprising a plurality of tubular sections displaceable along a first axis between a nested and an extended configuration and means for supporting the sections in said extended configuration, whereby an outer surface of each section provides a surface to which articles to be displayed may be affixed.

In use, when in the extended position, the device forms a rigid three dimensional structure, which has means for supporting articles. In use, when in the nested position, the structure is collapsed axially from the extended position, such that the volume of space needed to contain all component parts of the stand is significantly reduced.

Preferably said supporting means comprises end regions of each section, which are each arranged to frictionally engage with an adjacent region of another section when the sections are in said extended configuration. Preferably, means are provided for locking each section to its adjacent section(s) when in the extended configuration.

Preferably, each section is formed of a flexible material and is arranged to radially collapse for storage.

Preferably, each section is arranged to fold flat when radially collapsed.

Preferably, each section comprises a pair of walls separated by creases along which the section folds when radially collapsed to bring the walls into face-to-face registration.

Preferably the stand comprises an elongate flexible element which extends between least an upper and a lower section, said element serving to limit the axial extension of the sections.

Preferably each section is tapered.

Preferably each section is frusto-conical although the upper section may be conical.

Preferably the sections are concentric.

Preferably the stand comprises means for affixing articles to said outer surfaces.

Preferably the affixing means comprise affixing elements each having means for engaging an article and means for engaging a section of the stand.

Preferably the article engaging means comprises a hook or clip.

Preferably the section engaging means comprises a peg which is engageable with an aperture formed in the section.

Preferably the peg is barbed.

Preferably each section is provided with a plurality of apertures. Alternatively, the sections may be formed of a material which can be perforated by the user using a sharp object such as a pointed end of the peg.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective side view of an embodiment of display stand in accordance with the present invention; Figures 2A and 2B are perspective side views of a section of the stand of Figure 1 illustrating how each section can be unfolded; Figures 3A and 3B are sectional views along the longitudinal axis of one half of the stand of Figure 1 when in its extended/nested configuration respectively; Figures 4A and 4B are perspective bottom views of the stand of Figure 1 when in its extended/nested configuration respectively; Figures 5A and 5B are sectional views illustrating a locking mechanism of the stand of Figure 1 when in its unlocked/locked configuration; Figure 6 is perspective view of the stand of Figure 1 illustrating how the stand is assembled; Figure 7 is a perspective view showing how articles can be affixed to the stand of Figure 1; and Figure 8 is perspective view of the stand of Figure 1 when in use as a stand for displaying birthday cards.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a stand 10 which comprises a plurality of sections 12 formed of card, plastics or other flexible sheet material. In the example shown, there are four sections 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D although this may vary.

Each section 12 has a lower edge, a frusto-conical sidewall and upper edge having a smaller diameter than the lower edge. The sections 12 are progressively smaller in diameter from a lower section 12A to an upper section 12D. The diameter of the lower edge of the sections 12B, 12C, 12D is greater than the diameter of the upper edges of the sections 12A, 12B, 12C respectively. The upper section 12D may be conical. Each section 12 is preferably of a similar height.

Referring to Figures 2A and 2B of the drawings, the sidewall of each section 12 comprises a pair of diametrically opposed creases 13 which extend axially and which allow each section to be radially collapsed for storage and radially expanded for use.

It is envisaged that the stand 10 is supplied which each section in its collapsed configuration so as to reduce the bulk of the stand for transportation.

Once radially expanded, the sections 12 are arranged inside each other in a nested configuration with the diameter of the sections 12 getting progressively smaller towards the middle, such the lower section 12A is outermost and the upper section 12D is innermost. Referring to Figures 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B of the drawings, an elongate flexible strap 11 extends between the internal surface of the uppermost and lowermost sections: this strap 11 may be pre-fitted to the sections or it may be fitted by the user during initial assembly of the stand 10.

The stand 10 is then erected by pulling the uppermost section 12D upwardly whilst holding the lowermost section 12A until the upper and lower ends of respective adjacent sections 12 come into abutment due to their differing diameters. The degree of taper of the sections 12 and/or the material used may be such that, once in abutment, the frictional engagement between adjacent sections 12 maintains the stand in its erected configuration. The strap 11 helps to prevent the sections being pulled apart by limiting the maximum distance between the upper and lower sections 12A, 12D.

Referring to Figures 5A, 5B and 6 of the drawings, Upper and lower adjacent sections e.g. 12A, 12B may be locked together in their extended configuration by a clip 14 which is fixed to the outer surface of the lower adjacent section e.g. 12A and which comprises a flexible arm 19 and an inwardly projecting peg 20. The peg extends through the upper end of the sidewall of the lower adjacent section 12A and engages with a corresponding aperture formed in the lower end of the upper adjacent section 12B when the two sections reach their fully extended position. The clips 14 can be released to allow the stand to be collapsed.

Referring to Figure 7 of the drawings, the stand 10 further comprises a plurality of fastening members e.g. 15 which may be used to fasten articles A to be displayed to the stand. The fastening member 15 comprises a clip or a hook 16 which engages the article A and a barbed peg 17 which can be inserted through a selected one of a plurality of apertures (not shown) formed in the sidewall of each section.

Referring to Figure 8 of the drawings, in use a plurality of birthday cards A can be displayed on the stand 10 in a compact and tidy manner and in such a way that allows persons to inspect and read the cards A. A topper 18 may be placed on the uppermost section 12D to display a greeting or message.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A display stand comprising a plurality of tubular sections displaceable along a first axis between a nested and an extended configuration and means for supporting the sections in said extended configuration, whereby an outer surface of each section provides a surface to which articles to be displayed may be affixed.
2. A stand according to Claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprises end regions of each section, which are each arranged to frictionally engage with an adjacent region of another section when the sections are in said extended configuration.
3. A stand according to any of Claims 1 or 2, wherein means are provided for locking each section to its adjacent section(s) when in the extended configuration.
4. A stand according to any preceding Claim, wherein each section is formed of a flexible material and is arranged to radially collapse for storage.CO
5. A stand according to any preceding Claim wherein each section is arranged to fold flat when radially collapsed.
6. A stand according to any preceding Claim wherein the stand comprises an elongate flexible element which extends between least an upper and a lower section, said element serving to limit the axial extension of the sections.
7. A stand according to any preceding Claim wherein each section is tapered.
8. A stand according to any preceding Claim wherein each section is frusto-conical.
9. A stand according to Claim 6 wherein the upper section is conical.
10. A stand according to any preceding Claim wherein the sections are concentric.
11. A stand according to any preceding Claim wherein the stand further comprises means for affixing articles to the outer surfaces.
12. A stand according to Claim 11 wherein the affixing means comprise affixing elements each having means for engaging an article and means for engaging a section of the stand.
13. A stand according to Claim 12 wherein the article engaging means comprises a hook or a clip.
14. A stand according to any of Claims 12 or 13 wherein the section engaging CO means comprise a peg which is engageable with an aperture formed in the O section.
15. A stand according to Claim 14 wherein the peg is barbed.
16. A stand according to any preceding Claim wherein each section is provided with a plurality of apertures.
17. A stand according to any preceding Claim wherein each section is formed from a perforable material.