WO1999036900A1

WO1999036900A1 - A display means, a method of manufacturing same, a display system, and a method of displaying

Info

Publication number: WO1999036900A1
Application number: PCT/DK1999/000027
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Kofoed
Original assignee: FRIGG APS
Current assignee: FRIGG APS
Priority date: 1998-01-16
Filing date: 1999-01-18
Publication date: 1999-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 2000-07-16
Also published as: WO1999036900A8; AU2047099A; EP1057162A1

Abstract

A display means (1) for use for instance at exhibitions, in show rooms, in sales rooms and the like, the display means comprising two display plates (2, 3) of a stiff, flexible material such as cardboard, plastic, aluminum, steel and the like attached to one another at lateral edge regions (4, 5), the regions of the two display plates (2, 3) between the lateral edge regions (4, 5) being adapted for being spaced apart from a first collapsed, transport and storage position thereof overlying and adjacent one another to a second, spaced apart display position by spacing means (7, 8) arranged between the display plates, the lower free periphery (2b, 3b) of the free edges of the display plates being such in the second display position that the display means (1) may rest in a stable position with said free periphery (2b, 3b) supported by a substantially horizontal surface such as a floor.

Description

"A display means, a method of manufacturing same, a display system, and a method of displaying"

The present invention relates to display means for use for instance at exhibitions, in show rooms, in sales rooms and the like.

In connection with exhibitions, particularly at venues therefor at large distances from a home base or with a number of different venues, it is very important that the display means employed for display purposes are easy to store, transport, erect and dismantle, have low production costs, may be re-used many times without wear and tear and finally may be scrapped in an environmentally friendly and inexpensive manner even after only being used once.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a display means conforming to a large degree to the above requirements.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the display means comprising two display plates of a stiff, flexible material such as cardboard, plastic, aluminum, steel and the like attached to one another at at least one portion of each of a first and a second lateral edge region located opposite each other, the regions of the two display plates between said lateral edge regions being adapted for being spaced apart from a first collapsed, transport and storage position thereof overlying and adjacent one another to a second, spaced apart display position by spacing means preferably arranged between the display plates, the free periphery of the free edges of the display plates at least at one end, the bottom end, and preferably both ends, the top and bottom end, respectively, of the opposed edge regions being such in the second position that the display means may rest in a stable position with said free periphery supported by a substantially horizontal surface such as a floor.

Hereby a relatively inexpensive display means is obtained that is easy to store and transport, easy to erect and dismantle and may be re-used many times without appreciable wear as well as having the very important feature of being so inexpensive that scrapping thereof is a real option instead of returning it to home base for re-use. Although the display plates may have many different shapes such as trapezes, triangles, truncated parabels and so on, in the currently preferred embodiment of the display means according to the invention, the display plates are substantially rectangular, and the spacing means are adapted for spacing the display plates apart such that the display plates in the second position constitute substantially circular cylindrical surfaces with axes sub-stantially parallel to said first and second lateral edge regions.

Although the spacing means according to the invention may be of many different types such as threaded elements, inflatable elements and so on, in the currently preferred embodiment of the display means according to the invention, the spacing means comprise one or more spacing plates arranged between the display plates in a substantially transverse relationship with the display plates and having periphery portions abutting the display plates and determining the shape of the space delim- ited by the display plates in the second position.

Although the periphery portions of the spacing plates may have many different shapes such as ellipses, parabels, triangles and so on, in the currently preferred embodiment the one or more spacing plates have a periphery at least partly abut- ting the display plates in the second position and being substantially constituted by two circle segments intersecting one another with a common chord to form a substantially lens shaped periphery.

In the currently preferred embodiment the one or more spacing plates are attached to at least one and preferably both the display plates and are provided with at least one folding line allowing each spacing plate to be in a folded configuration in said first position and an unfolded configuration in said second position.

Advantageously, stiffening or locking means are provided for stiffening or locking each spacing plate in the unfolded configuration thereof, and at least one spacing plate is provided with unfolding means for being engaged by an operator for unfolding the spacing plate for influencing the display plates from the first to the sec- ond position thereof.

The stiffening means may be discrete means and/or the configuration of the spacing plate in the unfolded configuration thereof. For instance, the spacing plate to- gether with the attachment thereof to the display plate or plates may be such that a stiff arcuate stiffening or locking shape is imparted to the spacing plate when moved from the folded configuration to the unfolded configuration thereof.

Preferably, the spacing plate is made of a stiff, flexible material such as cardboard, plastic, aluminum, steel or the like.

In connection with exhibitions and show rooms it is often desirable to pro-vide means for supporting different articles and also to provide seating accommodations, and according to the invention this is obtained by a supporting surface member such as a table top or a stool seat being arranged at the top free periphery of the top free edges of the display plates of one or more display means opposite the bottom free periphery thereof supported by said horizontal surface.

Preferably, the surface member comprises a surface portion and attachment means arranged opposite said surface portion for attachment to the display plates, said attachment means preferably being a shoulder for abut-ting the inner surface of the display plates at top free periphery of the free edges and/or a groove for receiving at least part of said top free edges of the display plates.

So as to limit the overall dimensions of the display means in the collapsed transport position thereof, coupling means may be provided, preferably attached to the display means, for coupling two or more display means together, preferably at the free edges of the display plates so as to form a larger display means in the display position thereof.

An important problem in relation to traveling exhibitions and exhibitions with a short time span is the provision of adequate illumination of the display surfaces. According to the invention, this problem is solved in a particularly efficient, simple and cost-effective manner by an illumination means being attached to at least one of the display plates in the second position thereof in the region of said top free periphery such that at least a portion of the outer surface of at least one of the display plates facing away from the other display plate is illuminated by the illumination means.

In the currently preferred embodiment of the invention, the illumination means comprises a low voltage light source such as a halogen light source connected to a transformer, the light source and/or the transformer being releasably attached to one of the display plates for instance by means of cooperating Velcro-strips ar- ranged on the light source and/or the transformer and the relevant display plate, respectively, the light source and/or the transformer being connected to the mains by a power lead preferably extending in the space between the display plates and through aperture means in the spacing means.

A particularly cost-efficient display means according to the invention is obtained by the display plates being constituted by a single, substantially rectangular plate of flexible material, the two display plates being defined by the periphery of the single plate and a transverse folding line in said single plate, the folding line constituting the interconnection between the two display plates at one edge region thereof.

The invention furthermore relates to a composite display means, wherein two or more display means according to any of the preceding claims in the second position thereof are mutually interconnected by means of substantially vertically arranged interconnection webs or plates of a material preferably suited for application of a display marking such as cardboard, plastic, aluminum or the like each arranged intermediate two of said display means and attached to same, preferably at the outer surface of at least one of the display plates. Hereby, further display surfaces are obtained in a simple and cost-effective manner, and the composite display means may also be utilized for erecting a combination of display surfaces and partitioning walls.

The invention also relates to a method for producing a display means for use for instance at exhibitions, in show rooms, in sales rooms and the like, the method com- o

prising the steps of:

- providing two plates of a stiff, flexible material such as cardboard, plastic, aluminum, steel and the like,

- attaching said two display plates to one another at at least one portion of each of a first and a second lateral edge region located opposite each other such that the display plates are arranged in a first collapsed, transport and storage position thereof overlying and adjacent one another,

- providing spacing means preferably between the display plates in said first position thereof,

- spacing the regions of the two display plates between said lateral edge re- gions apart from the first position thereof to a second, spaced apart display position thereof, the free periphery of the free edges of the display plates at least at one end, the bottom end, and preferably both ends, the top and bottom end, respectively, of the opposed edge regions being such in the second position that the display means may rest in a stable position with said free pe- riphery supported by a substantially horizontal surface such as a floor.

Preferably, the two display plates are constituted by a single plate, the method comprising folding said single plate along a transverse folding line, the folding line constituting one of the mutually attached edges of the thus formed two display plates.

The invention furthermore relates to a display system for use for instance at exhibitions, in show rooms, in sales rooms and the like, the display system comprising:

- one or more display means according to the invention and/or

- one or more of the composite display means according to the invention. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for displaying printed material and objects at for instance exhibitions, show rooms, sales rooms and the like, the method comprising the following steps:

- providing one or more of the display means according to the invention and/or one or more of the composite display means according to the invention,

- applying display markings to portions of the visible outer surface of said display means and/or said composite display means,

- transporting said display means and/or composite display means in the first, collapsed position thereof to the venue of the exhibition,

- spacing apart the display plates of said display means and/or composite dis- play means to achieve the second, display position thereof,

- arranging said display means and/or composite display means at the venue for the exhibition purposes,

- upon termination of the exhibition, collapsing the display plates to achieve said first, collapsed position,

- returning the display means and/or composite display means to the point of origin or transporting same to a new exhibition venue or scrapping any or all display means and/or composite display means.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a partition wall means comprising:

- two or more column means each comprising two column plates of a stiff, flexible material such as cardboard, plastic, aluminum, steel and the like attached to one another at at least one portion of each of a first and a second lateral edge region located opposite each other, the regions of the two column plates between said lateral edge regions being adapted for being spaced apart from a first collapsed, transport and storage position thereof overlying and adjacent one another to a second, spaced apart partitioning position by spacing means preferably arranged between the column plates, the free periphery of the free edges of the column plates at least at one end, the bottom end, and preferably both ends, the top and bottom end, respectively, of the opposed edge regions being such in the second position that the column means may rest in a stable position with said free periphery supported by a substantially horizontal surface such as a floor,

- substantially vertically arranged interconnection webs or plates of a material such as cardboard, plastic, aluminum and the like interconnecting the column means and attached to same, preferably at the outer surface of at least one of the display plates.

urther aspect, the invention relates to a table means comprising:

- two base plates of a stiff, flexible material such as cardboard, plastic, aluminum, steel and the like attached to one another at at least one portion of each of a first and a second lateral edge region located opposite each other, the re- gions of the two base plates between said lateral edge regions being adapted for being spaced apart from a first collapsed, transport and storage position thereof overlying and adjacent one another to a second, spaced apart partitioning position by spacing means preferably arranged between the base plates, the free periphery of the free edges of the base plates at both ends, the top and bottom end, respectively, of the opposed edge regions being such in the second position that the base means may rest in a stable position with said free periphery supported by a substantial-ly horizontal surface such as a floor, and

- a table top arranged at said top end of the base means opposite the bot-tom free periphery thereof supported by said horizontal surface. Preferably, the table top comprises a surface portion and attachment means arranged opposite said surface portion for attachment to the base plates, said attachment means preferably being a shoulder for abutting the inner surface of the the base plates at top free periphery of the free edges and/or a groove for receiving at least part of said top free edges of the base plates.

Finally, the invention also relates to a stool means comprising:

- two base plates of a stiff, flexible material such as cardboard, plastic, alumi- num, steel and the like attached to one another at at least one portion of each of a first and a second lateral edge region located opposite each other, the regions of the two base plates between said lateral edge regions being adapted for being spaced apart from a first collapsed, transport and storage position thereof overlying and adjacent one another to a second, spaced apart parti- tioning position by spacing means preferably arranged between the base plates, the free periphery of the free edges of the base plates at both ends, the top and bottom end, respectively, of the opposed edge regions being such in the second position that the base means may rest in a stable position with said free periphery supported by a substantially horizontal surface such as a floor, and

- a seat means arranged at said top end of the base means opposite the bottom free periphery thereof supported by said horizontal surface.

Preferably, the seat means comprises a surface portion and attachment means arranged opposite said surface portion for attachment to the base plates, said attachment means preferably being a shoulder for abutting the inner surface of the base plates at top free periphery of the free edges and/or a groove for receiving at least part of said top free edges of the base plates.

In the following, various embodiments of a display means according to the invention will be explained more in detail solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

Fig. 1 shows a diagrammatic schematic perspective view of first embodiment of a display means according to the invention in the spaced apart display position thereof,

Fig. 2 shows a diagrammatic planar top view of the spacing plate shown in Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 3 shows a diagrammatic planar top view of the display device of Fig. 1 in a pre- assembly stage thereof,

Fig. 4 shows a top view of the free top periphery of the display device of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 5 shows a diagrammatic, schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a composite display means according to the invention,

Figs. 6 and 7 show diagrammatic, schematic top planar and lateral elevational, respectively, views of a support surface means in the form of a table top for use with the display means of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 8 shows a diagrammatic, schematic perspective view of the display means of Fig. 1 with a first illumination device attached,

Fig. 9 shows a perspective elevational view of a first illumination device for use with a display means according to the invention,

Fig. 10 shows a diagrammatic, schematic perspective view of the display means of Fig. 1 with a second illumination device attached,

Fig. 11 shows a perspective elevational view of a second illumination device for use with a display means according to the invention, Fig. 12 shows a diagrammatic schematic perspective view of second embodiment of a display means according to the invention in the spaced apart display position thereof,

Fig. 13 shows a diagrammatic planar top view of the spacing plate shown in Fig. 12, and

Figs. 14-16 show diagrammatic persepctive, planar and elevational views, respectively, of a composite display means, an interconnection plate and a fastener for attaching the plate to the display means to form the composite display means.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, a display device 1 according to the invention comprises substantially rectangular display plates 2 and 3 of a stiff, flexible material such as cardboard, plastic, aluminum or steel attached to each other at opposed edges 4 and 5. The plates 2 and 3 may be attached to each other at said edges 4 and 5 by any suitable means such as for instance adhesive tape overlapping the edge regions of the plates adjacent the edges 4 and 5, stapling together of said edge regions preferably in mutually overlapping relationship. Although the plates 3 and 4 are shown in single line drawing for clarity, the plates have a certain thick- ness for endowing the plates with a suitable degree of stiffness. The free top and bottom edges 2a, 2b and 3a, 3b, respectively of the plates 2 and 3, respectively, define a top and bottom free periphery of the display device defining a planar support surface for being stably supported by a horizontal support surface such as a floor in for instance a show room and the like.

The outer surfaces (facing away from one another) of the plates 2 and 3 are destined for application of a display marking indicated generally by the reference numeral 6. The display marking 6 may be applied in any suitable manner such as for instance adhesively binding a sheet of paper or the like provided with the display marking to said surfaces or by printing the display marking 6 directly on said outer surface of one or both of the plates 2 and 3. The regions of the plates 2 and 3 between the mutually attached edges 4 and 5 thereof are resiliently spaced apart by means of spacing plates 7 and 8 arranged between the plates 2 and 3 near the top and bottom free peripheries thereof. In an initial, first collapsed, transport and storage position of the display device with the plates 2 and 3 arranged overlying and adjacent one another, the display device takes up the least amount of space possible for storage and transport purposes. By spacing the said regions of the plates 2 and 3 apart to the shown second, spaced apart position thereof by means of the spacing plates 7 and 8, the display means 1 is able to be positioned upright on a horizontal surface resting on the bottom edge 2b and 3b thereby presenting the outer surfaces of the plates 2 and 3 in a position wherein the display markings 6 may be conveniently viewed.

The spacing plates 7, 8 are attached to the inner surfaces of the plates 2 and 3 by means of tabs 9 and 10 attached to the edge regions of the spacing plates 7,8 and the inner surfaces of the display plates 2 and 3. A folding line 11 allows the spacing plates 7, 8 to be folded in the first position of the display device 1 such that they are sandwiched between the display plates 2 and 3. Each spacing plate 7, 8 is provided with an aperture 12 for inserting a finger or a tool to pull the spacing plates 7, 8 from the folded position thereof outwards towards the free ends of the display means to the unfolded, planar position shown in Fig. 1 thereby forcing the said interior regions of the display plates 2 and 3 apart to the second position thereof where the spacing plates 7, 8 are substantially planar with the circular edges thereof abutting the display plates 2 and 3 thereby forcing the display plates to flex outwards to form circular cylindrical surfaces as shown in Fig. 1.

For many applications the natural inherent stiffness of the spacing plates 7, 8 and the compressive and frictional forces exerted thereon by the distended display plates 2 and 3 will be sufficient to maintain the spacing plates in the planar, unfolded position of Fig. 1. However, so as to ensure that no accidental folding of the spacing plates 7, 8 may take place thereby allowing the display plates 2 and 3 to collapse towards each other with a consequent loss of stability in the upright position, the spacing plates are provided with stiffening or locking means comprising two pivotable flaps 13 having an angled locking projection 14 for being inserted in a locking slit 15 for locking the spacing plates 7, 8 in the planar unfolded position there-of. The spacing plates 7, 8 are provided with cut off apexes 16 for allowing unhindered unfolding and folding of the spacing plates between the display plates 2 and 3.

In use, the display means 1 with display markings 6 applied thereto are stored and transported in the first collapsed position with the spacing plates 7 and 8 folded inwards from the free ends of the display means. When needed for displaying the markings at an exhibition or a show room, the spacing plates 7, 8 are engaged by a finger or tool and unfolded to the planar spacing position with the edges thereof abutting and resiliently flexing the display plates 2 and 3 to the circular cylindrical shape thereof shown in Fig. 1 whereafter the display means 1 may be positioned upright with the free bottom edges 2b and 3b supported by a floor.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the periphery of the spacing plates 7 and 8 is constituted by two intersecting circle segments thereby flexing the display plates 2 and 3 to circular cylindrical shapes. However, the periphery of the spacing plates may constitute other suitable shapes to impart a correspondingly flexed shape to the display plates 2 and 3. The said periphery may for instance be elliptic- al and for short display devices one single spacing plate is sufficient and it may be arranged obliquely instead of transversely as shown in Fig. 1. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many other types of spacing means may be utilized to space the interior regions of the display plays apart and furthermore that the rectangular shape of the display plates may be re-placed by other suitable shapes such as trapezes, triangles, truncated parabels and so on as long as suitable display surfaces are presented in the second, spaced apart display position of the display plates.

Referring now to Figs. 12-13, an alternative embodiment of spacing plates 50 and 51 are shown corresponding to the spacing plates 6 and 7 in Figs. 1-2. The display device 1 of Fig. 12 is identical to the display device 1 of Fig. 1. The spacing plates 51 , 52 comprise weakened folding lines 11 and 56 and 57. The folding line 11 has the same function as the folding line 11 in Figs. 1 and 2, i.e. to allow the spacing plates 51 , 52 to in the first position of the display device 1 sandwiched between the display plates 2 and 3. In the first position flaps 52 and 53 (de- fined by the folding lines 57 and 56, respectively, and the adjacent lateral edges of the spacing plate) are adhered to the inner surfaces of the plates 2 and 3, respectively.

When the display means 1 is to be transformed from the collapsed transport posi- tion thereof to the second display position thereof with the plates 2 and 3 spaced apart as shown in Fig. 12, fingers or tools are inserted in apertures 58 to pull the spacing plates to the unfolded position thereof. Because of the adherence of the flaps 52 and 53 to the plates 2 and 3 and the shape of the folding lines 56 and 57, the region of the spacing plate, 50, 51 between said folding lines will be forced into the arcuate shape shown in Fig. 12. This shape will provide the spacing plates 50, 51 with a self-locking property so that accidental collapse of the display means 1 is prevented. To further prevent such accidental collapse, flaps 54 and 55 may be folded into a position projecting into the interior of the display means along the folding lines 59 and 60, respectively, after said arcuate shape has been achieved.

Naturally, a similar arcuate self-locking shape of the spacing plates may be achieved by any other suitable means, for instance the flaps 52, 53 may be replaced each by two or more smaller flaps adhered in a similar manner to the plates 2 and 3.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, a rectangular plate 20 of a stiff flexible material is provided with a central folding line 21 and a lateral folding line. Spacing plates 7 and 8 as shown in Fig. 2 are attached to the plate 20 by means of the tabs 9 by means of an adhesive applied thereto. So as to achieve the display means shown in Fig. 1 by means of the plate 20, adhesive is applied to the region between the folding line 22 and the adjacent edge of the plate 20. Adhesive is also applied to the tabs 10 of the spacing plates 7, 8. The plate 20 is folded along the line 21 and along the line 22 such that the tabs 10 with adhesive thereon are pressed against the surface of the portion of the plate folded into contact therewith such that the tabs bind to said portion. The region adjacent the folding line 22 is pressed against the opposite edge region of the plate 20 as shown in Fig. 4 thereby attaching the two opposed edges of the plate 20 to each other by means of the adhesive in said re- gion adjacent the folding line 21. A display means as shown in Fig. 1 in the collapsed position thereof is hereby achieved in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner.

Referring now to Fig. 5, two display means 1 as shown in Fig. 1 are inter-connected by an interconnection web or plate 30 preferably of a material suited for applying display markings thereon and preferably being stiff such as cardboard and the like, a thin flexible web of for instance plastic film, however, also being suitable for some applications. Hereby a partition wall means is obtained that also may be utilized as a composite display means. The web or plate 30 may be attached to the display means 1 by any suitable means such as adhesives, stapling, Velcro and the like. Although in the currently prefer-red embodiment of the composite display partition wall means shown in Fig. 5 the web or plate 30 is attached to the apexes of the individual dis-play means, the web or plate may obviously be attached to the display means 1 at any location of the outer surface thereof. More than two display means 1 may be interconnected by webs or plates 30 so as to form partition walls of any desired length as well as stalls for subdividing a show room or exhibition room into separate exhibition stalls arranged in various configurations. Hereby, a very flexible and cost effective partitioning of a given room may be achieved allowing the exhibition to be moved from venue to venue in a very simple and cost-effective manner. Further-more the shown and described display system allows very simple and cost- effective establishment of exhibitions at venues involving long transport distances by air as the material employed may be relatively cheap and lightweight and therefore may be intended for being disposed of after use at one or more venues. This is in contrast to conventional display systems involving expensive partitioning and display structures requiring re-use with consequent high transport and storage costs in connection with a home base. The partitioning web or plate 30 may naturally have other shapes such as a curved configuration and may have a length smaller or larger than the length of the individual, interconnected display means 1 , and the latter may also have mutually different lengths, shapes and transverse dimensions.

Referring now to Figs. 14-16, an interconnection web or plate 30 comprises an intermediate portion 70 separated from two stiffening lateral portions 71 and 72 by two pairs of spaced parallel weakened folding lines 73 and 74, respectively. To achieve a stiff interconnection plate 30, the stiffening portions 71 and 72 are folded over along the pairs of corresponding folding lines 73 and 74 so as to abut the portion 70 along the edges 71a and 72a, and the edge regions adjacent the edges 71a and 72a are bonded to the surface of the portion 70 such that a space (shown exaggerated in Fig. 14 for clarity) is formed between the stiffening portions 71 , 72 and the intermediate portion 70 tapering from the folding lines 73, 74 towards the edges 71a, 72a, respectively.

Hereby, a relatively stiff interconnection web is achieved furthermore having a space for insertion of one leg of one or two fastening clips 75 (shown in larger scale in Fig. 16) in each of said spaces adjacent each of the pairs of folding lines 73, 74 with the other leg inserted in the corresponding display means 1 such that a simple and secure interconnection is achieved between the interconnection web 30 and the corresponding display means 1.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, a table top 32 of a stiff material such as a plastic material, wood, metal, cardboard and the like is provided with a mounting plate 32 for tightly fitting into the top open free end of the display means 1 of Fig. 3 having, however, a height suitable for a table. The rim 33 of the mounting plate 32 is dimensioned for a tight abutting fit in said open end. The table top 31 will when mounted on a corresponding display means 1 constitute a table having the same optical appearance as the rest of the display means at an exhibition and may function as a combined table and display means. The table top 31 may alternatively be provided with a groove for receiving the top free edges of the display plates 2 and 3 of display means 1 with a suitable height. The table top may have many different shapes, for instance provided with a projection for supporting the key-board of a computer with the monitor thereof arranged on the table top.

A sitting stool may be configured in the same manner as the table described above thereby obtaining a sitting arrangement having all the advantages of cost-effectiveness as regards manufacture, transport and storage as the rest of the display equipment described in the foregoing.

A table top may span two or more display means 1 and may be provided with mounting plates or grooves for attachment to one or more of the display means 1 , or the common table top may simply be arranged loosely on top of the two or more display means 1.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, a display means 1 having display markings 6 on the surface thereof is provided with an illumination device 40 attached to the inner surface of the display plate 2 near the top open end of the display means 1. The illumination device comprises an electrical light source 41 , for instance a low voltage halogen light source, electrically connected to a transformer and supported by two stiff, flexible rods 43 of an electrically conducting material, the rods 43 being spaced apart by a spacing insert 44. The transformer 42 is provided with releasable attachment means 45 such as a Velcro pad for cooperating with corresponding (not shown) attachment means on the inner surface of the display plate 2. A power supply lead 46 for connecting the transformer 42 to the power mains extends trough the interior of the display means, the apertures 12 in the spacing plates 7, 8 (Fig. 2) for engagement by a finger or a tool being large enough to allow passage of the plug for insertion in the power outlet of the power mains.

The illumination device illuminates the display marking 6 and is intended for releasable attachment to the display means in the second, display condition thereof and removal therefrom before collapsing the display means for transport or storage.

Referring now to Figs. 10-11 , there is shown an illumination device 90 similar to the illumination device 40 in Fig. 9 but having shorter rods 43 such that the device 90 may be attached to the inner surface of the plate 2 for illumination of the outer surface of said plate 2. The corresponding transformer is arranged remote from the light source 41 , for instance at a distance from the corresponding display means 1. A connector assembly 92 for electrically connecting the rods 43 to the power lead 46 connected to the transformer (not shown) is provided with a Velcro pad 91 for cooperating with a corresponding Velcro pad (not shown) attached to the plate 2.

Naturally, other types of light sources may be utilized, and several different or identical light sources attached at different points may also be used.

The dimensions of the display means according to the invention may be such that it may be used for any type of display purpose ranging from small displays of for instance menus when arranged on a table top to large displays with a height larger than a person or even larger for use in show rooms or as partitioning walls in other applications such as sound barriers and so on.

The dimensions of an example of the display means shown in Fig. 3 are approximately 2000 mm parallel to the folding lines 21 and 22 and approximately 2300 mm at right angles to said folding lines while the thickness of the cardboard material of the display plates and spacing plates is approximately 4 mm. These dimensions may obviously be varied with wide ranges depending on the application and the materials employed.

The spacing means may be for instance one or more inflatable balloons or "sau- sages" of a flexible material arranged between the plates 2 and 3 as well as screw devices of various types.

The lower edges 2b and 3b of the display means in Fig. 1 may be provided with a U-section rail or strip to space the display means from the supporting surface thereof to avoid wetting of the lower regions of the plates 2 and 3 when for instance floors in a display room such as a supermarket or the like are washed. Although the currently preferred embodiments of the various display elements according to the invention have been described above, such description shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention as various modifications and variations are conceivable by those skilled in the art within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended patent claims.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A display means for use for instance at exhibitions, in show rooms, in sales rooms and the like, the display means comprising two display plates of a stiff, flexi- ble material such as cardboard, plastic, aluminum, steel and the like attached to one another at at least one portion of each of a first and a second lateral edge region located opposite each other, the regions of the two display plates between said lateral edge regions being adapted for being spaced apart from a first collapsed, transport and storage position thereof overlying and adjacent one another to a sec- ond, spaced apart display position by spacing means preferably arranged between the display plates, the free periphery of the free edges of the display plates at least at one end, the bottom end, and preferably both ends, the top and bottom end, respectively, of the opposed edge regions being such in the second position that the display means may rest in a stable position with said free periphery supported by a substantially horizontal surface such as a floor.

2. A display means according to claim 1 , wherein the display plates are substantially rectangular and the spacing means are adapted for spacing the display plates apart such that the display plates in the second position constitute substantially cir- cular cylindrical surfaces with axes substantially parallel to said first and second lateral edge regions.

3. A display means according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spacing means comprise one or more spacing plates arranged between the display plates in a substan- tially transverse relationship with the display plates and having periphery portions abutting the display plates and determining the shape of the space delimited by the display plates in the second position.

4. A display means according to claims 2 and 3, wherein the one or more spac- ing plates have a periphery at least partly abutting the display plates in the second position and being substantially constituted by two circle segments intersecting one another with a common chord to form a substantially lens shaped periphery.

5. A display means according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the one or more spacing plates are attached to at least one and preferably both the display plates and are provided with at least one folding line allowing each spacing plate to be in a folded configuration in said first position and an unfolded configuration in said second po- sition.

6. A display means according to claim 5, wherein stiffening or locking means are provided for stiffening or locking each spacing plate in the unfolded configuration thereof.

7. A display means according to claim 5 or 6, wherein at least one spacing plate is provided with unfolding means for being engaged by an operator for unfolding the spacing plate for influencing or forcing the display plates from the first to the second position thereof.

8. A display means according to any of the claims 3-6, wherein the spacing plate is made of a stiff, flexible material such as cardboard, plastic, aluminum, steel or the like.

9. A display means according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a supporting surface member such as a table top or a stool seat is arranged at the top free periphery of the top free edges of the display plates of one or more display means opposite the bottom free periphery thereof supported by said horizontal surface.

10. A display means according to claim 9, wherein the surface member comprises a surface portion and attachment means arranged opposite said surface portion for attachment to the display plates, said attachment means preferably being a shoulder for abutting the inner surface of the display plates at top free periphery of the free edges and/or a groove for receiving at least part of said top free edges of the display plates.

11. A display means according to any of the preceding claims, wherein coupling means are provided, preferably attached to the display means, for coupling two or more display means together, preferably at the free edges of the display plates so as to form a larger display means in the display position thereof.

12. A display means according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an illumination means is attached to at least one of the display plates in the second position thereof in the region of said top free periphery such that at least a portion of the outer surface of at least one of the display plates facing away from the other display plate is illuminated by the illumination means.

13. A display means according to claim 12, wherein the illumination means comprises a low voltage light source such as a halogen light source connected to a transformer, the light source and/or the transformer being releasably attached to one of the display plates for instance by means of cooperating Velcro-strips arranged on the light source and/or the transformer and the relevant display plate, respectively, the light source and/or the transformer being connected to the mains by a power lead preferably extending in the space between the display plates and through aperture means in the spacing means.

14. A display means according to any of the claims 2-13, wherein the display plates are constituted by a single, substantially rectangular plate of flexible material, the two display plates being defined by the periphery of the single plate and a transverse folding line in said single plate, the folding line constituting the intercon- nection between the two display plates at one edge region thereof.

15. A composite display means, wherein two or more display means according to any of the preceding claims in the second position thereof are mutually interconnected by means of substantially vertically arranged interconnection webs or plates of a material preferably suited for application of a display marking such as cardboard, plastic, aluminum or the like each arranged intermediate two of said display means and attached to same, preferably at the outer surface of at least one of the display plates.

16. A method for producing a display means for use for instance at exhibitions, in show rooms, in sales rooms and the like, the method comprising the steps of:

- spacing the regions of the two display plates between said lateral edge regions apart from the first position thereof to a second, spaced apart dis-play position thereof, the free periphery of the free edges of the display plates at least at one end, the bottom end, and preferably both ends, the top and bottom end, respectively, of the opposed edge regions being such in the second position that the display means may rest in a stable position with said free periphery supported by a substantially horizontal surface such as a floor.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the two display plates are constituted by a single plate, the method comprising folding said single plate along a transverse folding line, the folding line constituting one of the mutually attached edges of the thus formed two display plates.

18. A display system for use for instance at exhibitions, in show rooms, in sales rooms and the like, the display system comprising:

- one or more display means according to any of the claims 1-14 and/or - one or more of the composite display means according to claim 15.

19. A method for displaying printed material and objects at for instance exhibitions, show rooms, sales rooms and the like, the method comprising the following steps:

- providing one or more of the display means according to any of the claims 1- 14 and one or more of the composite display means according to claim 15,

- spacing apart the display plates of said display means and/or composite display means to achieve the second, display position thereof,

20. A partition wall means comprising: - two or more column means each comprising two column plates of a stiff, flexible material such as cardboard, plastic, aluminum, steel and the like attached to one another at at least one portion of each of a first and a second lateral edge region located opposite each other, the regions of the two column plates between said lateral edge regions being adapted for being spaced apart from a first collapsed, transport and storage position thereof overlying and adjacent one another to a second, spaced apart partitioning position by spacing means preferably arranged between the column plates, the free periphery of the free edges of the column plates at least at one end, the bottom end, and preferably both ends, the top and bottom end, respectively, of the opposed edge regions being such in the second position that the column means may rest in a stable position with said free periphery supported by a substantially horizontal surface such as a floor,

21. A table means comprising:

- two base plates of a stiff, flexible material such as cardboard, plastic, aluminum, steel and the like attached to one another at at least one portion of each of a first and a second lateral edge region located opposite each other, the re- gions of the two base plates between said lateral edge regions being adapted for being spaced apart from a first collapsed, transport and storage position thereof overlying and adjacent one another to a second, spaced apart partitioning position by spacing means preferably arranged between the base plates, the free periphery of the free edges of the base plates at both ends, the top and bottom end, respectively, of the opposed edge regions being such in the second position that the base means may rest in a stable position with said free periphery supported by a substantially horizontal surface such as a floor, and

- a table top arranged at said top end of the base means opposite the bot-tom free periphery thereof supported by said horizontal surface.

22. A table means according to claim 21 , wherein the table top comprises a surface portion and attachment means arranged opposite said surface portion for attachment to the base plates, said attachment means preferably being a shoulder for abutting the inner surface of the base plates at top free periphery of the free edges and/or a groove for receiving at least part of said top free edges of the base plates.

23. A stool means comprising:

- two base plates of a stiff, flexible material such as cardboard, plastic, aluminum, steel and the like attached to one another at at least one portion of each of a first and a second lateral edge region located opposite each other, the regions of the two base plates between said lateral edge regions being adapted for being spaced apart from a first collapsed, transport and storage position thereof overlying and adjacent one another to a second, spaced apart partitioning position by spacing means preferably arranged between the base plates, the free periphery of the free edges of the base plates at both ends, the top and bottom end, respectively, of the opposed edge regions being such in the second position that the base means may rest in a stable position with said free periphery supported by a substantially horizontal surface such as a floor, and

24. A stool means according to claim 23, wherein the seat means comprises a surface portion and attachment means arranged opposite said surface portion for attachment to the base plates, said attachment means preferably being a shoulder for abutting the inner surface of the base plates at top free periphery of the free edges and/or a groove for receiving at least part of said top free edges of the base plates.