Expandable and adjustable display stand
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.
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.
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.
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 INVENTIONAn 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.
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.
Another object of present invention is to provide such a display stand adjustable in various inclined positions during usage.
Another object of present invention is to provide a display stand capable of displaying a picture, photo, post card or greeting card.
Another object of present invention is to provide a display stand capable of retaining a sheet of paper in an up-right position.
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
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.
When converting the display stand 1 from the compact storage size (
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.
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
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.
Claims
1. A display stand made from continuous bending of a piece of metal round wire or flat stripe, having a compact storage size comprising of a first vertical leg, a first bend, a second vertical leg, a second bend, a third horizontal leg, a third bend, a fourth vertical leg, a fourth bend, and a fifth vertical leg; and
- Said first, second, fourth and fifth vertical legs being at substantially equal height; and
- Said first bend connecting the upper ends of said first and second vertical legs, in which, said first and second vertical legs being in a first vertical plan and substantially in parallel; and
- Said fourth bend connecting the upper ends of said fourth and fifth vertical legs, in which, said fourth and fifth vertical legs being in a second vertical plan and substantially in. parallel; and
- Said second bend connecting the lower end of said second vertical leg and the right end of said third horizontal leg, and said third bend connecting the lower end of said fourth vertical leg and the left end of said third horizontal leg, in which, said second and fourth vertical legs being in a third vertical plan and substantially in parallel; and
- Said first and fifth vertical legs forming a pair of front legs, and said second and fourth vertical legs forming a pair of rear legs of said display stand; and
- Said first and second vertical plans intersecting said third vertical plan at an equal angle greater than 90 degree as viewed from the front of said display stand.
2. The display stand according to claim 1, in which said display stand capable of being expanded from said compact storage size to a first self-standing, full size by means of:
- Pulling said lower ends of said first and second vertical legs away from each other in said first vertical plan by a first incremental distance; and
- Pulling said lower ends of said fourth and fifth vertical legs away from each other in said second vertical plan by said first incremental distance; and
- Said display stand capable of adjusting its inclined position by adjusting said first incremental distance.
3. The display stand according to claim 1, in which said display stand capable of being expanded from said compact storage size to a second self-standing, full size by means of:
- Pulling said lower ends of said first and second vertical legs away from each other in said first vertical plan by a first incremental distance; and
- Pulling said lower ends of said fourth and fifth vertical legs away from each other in said second vertical plan by said first incremental distance; and
- Pulling said upper ends of said second and fourth legs away from each other in said third vertical plan by a second incremental distance; and
- Said display stand capable of adjusting its inclined position by adjusting said first and second incremental distances.
4. The display stand according to claims 1, 2 and 3, in which:
- Said lower end of said first and fifth vertical legs being bent upwardly to form a first and second U-hooks; and
- Said first and fifth legs forming a pair of back supports, and said first and second U-hooks forming a pair of bottom supports for supporting an object when said object being displayed on said display stand in said self-standing, full size position.
5. The display stand according to claims 1, 2 and 3, in which:
- Said lower end of said first vertical leg having a fifth upward bend that connecting said lower end of said first vertical leg to a lower end of a sixth vertical leg, in which, said first and sixth vertical legs forming a first vertical slot cavity for inserting a sheet form of material in an up-right position; and
- Said lower end of said fifth vertical leg having a sixth upward bend that connecting said lower end of said fifth vertical leg to a lower end of a seventh vertical leg, in which, said fifth and seventh vertical legs forming a second vertical slot cavity for inserting said sheet form of material in said up-right position; and
- Said first, second, fourth and fifth vertical legs being in a height greater than half height of said sheet form of material in said up-right position.
6. The display stand according to claims 1, 2 and 3, in which:
- Said lower end of said first vertical leg having a first bracket comprising of a fifth bend, a sixth horizontal leg, a sixth bend, and a seventh vertical leg; and
- Said lower end of said fifth vertical leg having a second bracket comprising of a seventh bend, a eighth horizontal leg, a eighth bend, and a ninth vertical leg; and
- Said first and fifth legs forming a pair of back supports, and said first and second brackets forming a pair of bottom supports for supporting an object when said object being displayed on said display stand in said self-standing, full size position.
7. The display stand according to claims 4, 5 and 6, in which, said third horizontal leg is adaptable to a molded plastic base capable of attaching said display stand to a horizontal or vertical flat surface.
8. The display stand according to claims 4, 5 and 6, in which said third horizontal leg is adaptable to a molded suction cup capable of attaching said display stand to a horizontal or vertical flat surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 5, 2005
Publication Date: Apr 5, 2007
Inventor: David Yang (Moraga, CA)
Application Number: 11/243,248
International Classification: A47B 23/00 (20060101); A47B 97/04 (20060101); A47G 1/24 (20060101); A47B 41/06 (20060101);