Snap panel display unit

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention generally relates to display systems More specifically, the present invention is drawn to portable, light-weight, display panels which may be easily assembled and disassembled without the use of tools.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] The portable, knock-down panel systems used for display purposes at trade shows, educational presentations, temporary art exhibits and the like, are for the most part cumbersome to assemble and disassemble. Many are heavy and require more than one person to manipulate. Many require special tools for both assembly and disassembly. Others comprise many parts, which parts must be collected and safely stored. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,001,987 (Coulthard) is drawn to a screen construction applicable to exhibition and display purposes which employs clips that are secured to panels by wood screws. Further, the construction requires the use of upright metal poles for support.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,118,903 (Coulthard) discloses an assembly for forming a partition or screen especially for display purposes. The panels which constitute the partition are connected at their upper edges with hook and loop fasteners. There is no provision for arranging the panels in a stacked array.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,286 (Windisch et al.) shows a portable display wall having abutting complimentary panels. Vertical legs and wing nuts must be utilized to support and secure the panels.

[0008] Hook and loop fasteners are employed to connect and secure panels in U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,418 (Hobgood). The use of such fasteners is not considered to provide suitable support when the panels are arranged in a stacked array.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,757 (Mariol) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,802 (Richter et al.) disclose display systems which require a plurality of tubes for support.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,565 (Kuffner) employs relatively heavy and costly metal components as connecting members for the panels.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,257,207 (Davis) discloses the use of plastic connectors for panel assembly. It is noted however, that the connectors must be inserted in slots formed at a central area of the panels instead of at the corners.

[0012] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to disclose a display unit as will subsequently be described and claimed in the instant invention.

[0013] The present invention is drawn to a light-weight, portable display system. The system comprises plural, hollow, plastic panels having uniquely contoured corners. The panels may be of flat or curved configuration. Most of the plastic panels are fabricated to present smooth front and rear faces. However, some panels are made with at least one slotted face for supporting shelves therein. Straight plastic connector members are designed to accept the corners of the panels, thereby connecting the panels in a manner to form a display area. Hinged plastic connectors are provided so that adjacent panels may be arranged at angles ranging from ninety to one hundred eighty degrees.

[0014] As contemplated, the panels can be connected in a vertical array to create a stable display wall as high as ten feet. The panels are reversible since either face of the panel can be utilized as a display area. By employing a combination of planar and curved panels and straight and hinged connectors, a user may construct a display area of configurations limited only by the user's imagination. The panels and connectors may be fabricated in various colors so as to satisfy different aesthetic tastes.

[0015] Since no tools are required and the components are fabricated from light-weight plastic, it is evident that the panels of the instant invention can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled by a single person. Further, the all-plastic fabrication dramatically lowers construction and shipping costs.

[0016] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved display system, which system is completely fabricated from plastic parts.

[0017] It is another object of the invention to provide an improved display system, which system can be easily assembled and disassembled by one person.

[0018] It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved display system, which system can be assembled and disassembled without the use of tools.

[0019] Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved display system, which system utilizes a unique connector member for snap-fitting the system in an assembled array.

[0020] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

[0021] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

[0022] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a snap panel display unit according to the present invention.

[0023] FIGS. 2A-2C are views showing details of the panels and straight connector arrangement according to the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a partial view of panels and a corner connector according to the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a curved panel according to the present invention.

[0026] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

[0027] Attention is directed to FIG. 1 wherein the snap panel display unit of the instant invention is generally indicated at 10. Display unit 10 comprises an array of individual panels 12, which panels are aligned and stacked to form a display area. Panels 12 are flat, hollow and fabricated from plastic material. As presently contemplated, each panel 12 is a two-foot square although other sizes may function equally as well. The front and rear flat faces of the panels are generally smooth so that material to be displayed may be easily attached thereto. However, some of the panels are provided with at least one slotted face 14. The slots allow shelves or trays to be inserted therein, thereby adding versatility to the type of material that can be displayed on the unit.

[0028] As best illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C and 3, a pair of panels 12 is assembled by employing at least one straight locking member 16 or corner locking member 16′. Straight locking member 16 is of a cruciform configuration having mirror image front and rear sections 16a, 16b. An open tubular member 16cfunctions to attach section 16ato section 16bsuch that a narrow opening 16dis formed between the sections. The edges 16eof member 16 are partially curved for purposes as will be explained below. Each corner of a panel 12 is contoured to form a thin, flat insert portion 12aand a curved profile portion 12b. Insert portion 12ais dimensioned to be slightly thicker than the width of opening 16d. Curved profile portion 12bis designed to be complimentary with the curve of edge 16e. This arrangement allows each corner insert portion 12aof adjacent panels to be snap-fitted into opening 16dof a connector member, thereby assembling the panels to form a display unit. Since the curved edges of the connectors are complimentary with the curved portions of the panel, an aesthetically pleasing display unit will be presented. Besides functioning as an attachment member, open tubular member 16cwill also allow easy installation of lighting fixtures on the unit. Corner connector 16′ is fabricated exactly as is straight connector 16 with the exception that a hinge 18 is disposed along the central axis thereof. Hinge 18 will allow the panels utilizing the corner connector to be assembled at angles ranging from ninety to one hundred degrees.

[0029] FIG. 4 is illustrative of a panel 20 having a curved configuration. Curved panel 20 will utilize the same straight connectors 16 as discussed above. The employment of curved panels will add even more versatility in that a user may employ a combination of flat and curved panels to create unusual display units.

[0030] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.