Abstract: A pivotal frame connector or pivotal coupler for pivotally attaching two adjacent display structures wherein each of the display structures includes a skeletal frame formed of a network of elongate support rods joined by hub assemblies which provide for articulation of the support rods. The pivotal frame connector includes ends identical in structure to the ends of the support rods to engage those hub assemblies disposed on the periphery of the display frames. These peripheral hub assemblies have empty unused sockets to which the pivotal frame connector is readily attached. The pivotal frame connector is U-shaped and substantially shorter in length than each of the support rods to remain out of sight and out of the way when the display frame is covered by a skin-like aesthetic covering.

Abstract: A deployable three dimensional structure is provided formed from at least three circumferential scissors like elements joined together and at least three radial scissors like elements joined together. The scissors like elements are formed from two rods joined to each other at a pivot. The structure is foldable into a closed compact state and deployable into an open erect state.

Abstract: A pivotal frame connector or pivotal coupler for pivotally attaching two adjacent display structures wherein each of the display structures includes a skeletal frame formed of a network of elongate support rods joined by hub assemblies which provide for articulation of the support rods. The pivotal frame connector includes ends identical in structure to the ends of the support rods to engage those hub assemblies disposed on the periphery of the display frames. These peripheral hub assemblies have empty unused sockets to which the pivotal frame connector is readily attached. The pivotal frame connector is U-shaped and substantially shorter in length than each of the support rods to remain out of sight and out of the way when the display frame is covered by a skin-like aesthetic covering.

Abstract: A self-storing maintenance stand for a scissor lift aerial work platform wherein a pair of arms are freely pivoted on each side of a stack of pivotally connected scissor arms at the medial portion thereof. An arcuate saddle plate is provided on each end of the pair of arms for engaging protruding end portions of the pivot pins of the next adjacent scissor arms. A weight is connected to the end portion of one of the arms so that the arms will freely pivot to a non-working or stored position.

Abstract: A collapsible framework is constructed of rods pivotally joined at their ends to hubs to form a self-standing unit when expanded and to fold into a small set of nearly parallel rods when folded. In one embodiment in which the expanded frame forms an array of cubicles, the hubs are designed to pivotally join the ends of four rods, with the plane defined by the pivot axes of one pair of opposing rods being offset from the plane defined by the pivot axes of the other pair of opposed rods attached to the same hub. One pair of rods attached to each hub can pivot on one of several pivot points on extended hub flanges to thereby provide expanded frameworks of various arcuate configurations. A stab-connection latch locks two hubs together and secures the framework in the expanded position. Folding channel bars are attached to knobs on vertically aligned hubs by keyslots.

Abstract: In a collapsible lightweight framework for display use and of the type composed of square modules disposed in side-by-side and/or superposed relationship and consisting of articulated rods, whose ends are pivotally connected with corner joints (5 to 12) provided with a substantially plane front plate (15) with parallel edge portions (28, 29) for engagement with longitudinal parallel guideways (35, 36) in a releasable rail member (14).The rail member (14) allowing for the suspension of shelves, trays and the like, may thus be designed with an improved stiffening effect and simultaneously for easily releasable securing to the corner joints.

Abstract: A portable collapsible enclosure that can be erected for use or collapsed for transport or storage quickly and easily by a single person exercising minimal effort and possessing minimal skill. The enclosure comprises a plurality of frame members for defining the shape of the enclosure and for supporting a covering for the enclosure, expandable and foldable linking members interconnecting the plurality of frame members and being expandable to position the plurality of frame members and the enclosure defined thereby in an erected state, and foldable to position the plurality of frame members and the enclosure defined thereby in a collapsed state; and actuator members connected to the linkage members for expanding and folding the linkage members to erect and collapse the enclosure. The actuator members preferably comprise fluid-driven linear actuators that once actuated, operate automatically to erect and collapse the enclosure.

Abstract: A hinged three-dimensional display system primarily intended for advertising and display purposes, is constructed of bars or tubes and connecting pieces, the bars or tubes being pivoted to each other in pairs at their mid-points and forming crossing diagonal struts in the display system, wherein each pair of diagonal bars or tubes is either on a mutually parallel, horizontal plane or on a vertical plane that is at right angles to the former. The system is braced vertically by easily mountable and dismountable struts which are attached on the outside of the display system, on and between adjacent connecting pieces, and on the outward-facing side of which pictures, illustrative material etc. can be attached. Each connecting piece includes a central part having one end provided with four tangentially protruding pivot pins, lying in a single plane and located 90.degree. in relation to each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a deployable, continuously extendible and collapsible, closed or open ended, free standing or supported spatial structure comprising an array of spaced apart adjacent layers or tiers of pivotally connected criss-crossed bars with the bars in each layer being connected to each other in rows and columns and with rods coupling the layers together.

Abstract: A loop-assembly is disclosed which is comprised of at least three scissors-pairs, at least two of the pairs comprising:two essentially identical rigid angulated strut elements, each having a central and two terminal pivot points which do not lie in a straight line, each strut being pivotally joined to the other of its pair by their central pivot points,each pair being pivotally joined by two terminal pivot points to two terminal pivot points of another pair such that both scissors pairs lie essentially in the same plane, oreach pair being pivotally joined by two terminal pivot points to two terminal pivot points of another pair in that the terminal points of a scissors-pair are each pivotally joined to a hub element, and these hub elements are in turn joined to the terminal pivot points of another scissors-pair,whereby a closed loop-assembly is thus formed of scissors pairs, and this loop-assembly can fold and unfold, anda line that intersects and is perpendicular to the axes of any two terminal pivot points

Abstract: A collapsible framework comprises a plurality of spars pivotally connected with hub members. The hub members comprise a first set which are disposed at the front of the framework when erected and a second set which are disposed at the rear of the erected framework, each of said spars being connected at one end with a hub member of the first set and at the opposite end with a hub member of the second set, and the spars being pivotally connected in pairs. The arrangement is such that each hub member of the first set is opposite a respective hub member of the second set and moves nearer to its opposite hub member as the framework is moved from a collapsed to an erected state and moves further from its opposite hub member as the framework is moved from its collapsed to its erected state. Opposite hub members of the first and second sets are connected by tension springs which assist in the unfolding and erection of the framework and provide the forces necessary to hold the frame in its erected position.

Abstract: A collapsible framework is constructed of rods pivotally joined at their ends to hubs to form a self-standing unit when expanded and to fold into a small set of nearly parallel rods when folded. In one embodiment in which the expanded frame forms an array of cubicles, the hubs are designed to pivotally join the ends of four rods, with the plane defined by the pivot axes of one pair of opposing rods being offset from the plane defined by the pivot axes of the other pair of opposed rods attached to the same hub. One pair of rods attached to each hub can pivot on one of several pivot points on extended hub flanges to thereby provide expanded frameworks of various arcuate configurations. A stab-connection latch locks two hubs together and secures the framework in the expanded position. Folding channel bars are attached to knobs on vertically aligned hubs by keyslots.

Abstract: A canopy shelter has a plurality of corner support forming legs that may be positioned on a support surface. Scissor assemblies interconnect adjacent ones of the corner supports and are each pivotally connected at one portion to the top ends of the respective corner supports and are each pivotally connected at another portion to slide brackets slideably mounted on each of the respective corner supports. Roof support members are pivotally connected to a respective slide bracket on a corner support. Thus, the framework may be collapsed in a stored state yet expanded to an expanded state by spreading the corner members apart from one another. This automatically raises the apex which may also include a center post structure. Latches are provided to retain the slide brackets in position to hold the framework in the expanded state.

Abstract: A display system includes a collapsible, rectangular frame having a plurality of rectangular box units. Each box unit includes rectangularly arranged sides which are defined by a pair of arms, joined to one another by a scissor connection. The top and bottom side arms include at least one telescoping member therein. Connector-block nodes are located at each corner of the box units and include pivot means for securing the arms thereto for permitting the frame to be collapsed to a compact form. Plural display supports extend along files of connected block nodes on the front face of the frame, each support extending between adjacent connector block nodes and including a pair of display-support runners. The display-support runners are joined to one another at one, central end thereof by a central hinge and joined to a connector block node at the other end thereof by an end hinge.

Abstract: A loop-assembly is disclosed which is comprised of at least three scissors-pairs, at least two of the pairs comprising:two essentially identical rigid angulated strut elements each having a central and two terminal pivot points with centers which do not lie in a straight line, each strut being pivotally joined to the other of its pair by their central pivot points,each pair being pivotally joined by two terminal pivot points to two terminal pivot points of another pair in that,(a) the terminal pivot points of each of the scissors-pairs are pivotally joined to the terminal pivot points of the adjacent pair such that both scissors-pairs lie essentially in the same plane, or(b) the terminal pivot points of a scissors-pair are each pivotally joined to a hub element which is small in diameter relative to the length of a strut element, and these hub elements are in turn joined to the terminal pivot points of another scissors-pair, such that the plane that one scissors-pair lies in forms an angle with the plane that

Abstract: The display system of the invention includes a collapsible, rectangular frame which includes plural, rectangular box units. Each box unit includes a top side, a bottom ride, right side, left side, front face and rear face. The top side, bottom side, right side and left side may be shared with adjoining box units. The top, bottom, right and left sides are defined by a pair of arms which are joined to one another by a scissor connection. The top and bottom side arms include at least one telescoping member therein. Connector nodes are located at each corner of the box units. Each of the nodes includes a pivot for securing the arms of the frame thereto and for allowing collapsing of the frame to a compact form.

Abstract: A collapsible frame structure for a portable camper, particularly a pair of such frame structures which may be joined to form a bed supporting frame and a tent supporting frame extending in an arch over the bed frame. The frame structure includes a plurality of pairs of link tube units pivotably connected at their middles to each other in X-shaped configuration and a plurality of longitudinally extending tube units intermediate the pairs of link tubes. The frame structure is distinguished in its efficiency in set up and folding for storage without disassembly.

Abstract: An extendible and retractable shelter for a vehicle has a plurality of bows slidable along a pair of ground mounted tracks from an extended position to a retracted position. A flexible canvas or plastic covering is attached to the bows when extended and collapses in accordion fashion when retracted. A lazy tongs mechanism is attached to the interior faces of the bows and are loaded by tension springs. The bows are retracted by a cable and winch system, placing the springs under tension and locked by a ratchet lock. When the lock is released, the tension springs return the bows to the extended position.

Abstract: A device for shading areas, in particular for shading areas or plazas where people can walk, in desert areas, comprising a roofing surface which extends on carrier elements at a spacing from the surface to be shaded, preferably with a roof skin or membrane stretched on supports, to provide for shading of larger spaces with a minimum amount of obstruction by the supports, while at the same time using the effect of sunlight which is absorbed in producing the shade. For that purpose the outward side (31) of the roofing surface (12, 21) is occupied with photovoltaic elements (30) or is provided with a photovoltaic layer. The latter preferably comprises amorphous silicon or cadmium derivatives.

Abstract: An expansion joint comprises a pair of support bases having a rail type shape lack of which is continuous in the longitudinal direction and is fixed to each edge of both members of a building defining an expansion joint gap, a plurality of connecting members for connecting both support bases together so that the gap between the bases is expansible or contractible, and a cover plate of a proper length connected to the connecting members so as to span the expansion joint gap while being disposed atop the upper ends of both support bases which are slideable with respect to the cover plate under expansion and contraction conditions and which are formed with concave portions for accommodating a finish material on the internal surface side, whereby a surface material substantially identical with a surface material of the members of the building adjacent the expansion joint may be disposed within the concave portion for accommodating the finish material of the cover plate so as to integrate its appearance with respe

Abstract: A folding display frame comprises a grid of horizontal and vertical rod members forming an array of three dimensional cubicles. The cubicles have eight corners with a separate hub at each corner of the cubicle. The framework forming each cubicle has a top frame section, a bottom frame section, and two side frame sections. Each frame section is formed by two rods intersecting and pivotally join to each other midway between their ends. The ends of the rods in each cubicle are pivotally attached to corresponding hubs located at each of the corners of the cubicle. Adjacent cubicles in the array share common rods and hubs. Separate diagonal stabilizing members are located within bottom cubicles of the display frame to prevent the cubicles from being distorted into a parallelogram shape when the frame is erected in its fixed position and weight is supported on the front of the frame.

Abstract: A collapsible, articulated structural section which is movable between a stable erect configuration and a collapsed configuration includes a manually actuable positive lock for locking the device in its erect configuration. Four pairs of scissored links connected to exterior pivots at their ends form the exterior of the section, and the interior is formed by a pair of face pivots and four pairs of crossed, but unconnected, face links, each pivotally connected at one end thereof to an exterior pivot and at the other end thereof to a face pivot. A through-extending opening is provided in one face pivot, and a locking component including a shaft portion insertable into the opening, and a rotatable locking member mounted on the end of the shaft, are mounted on the other face pivot.

Abstract: An ossature comprising a truss constituted by a plurality of mutually parallel vertical elements, and a lower rail and an upper rail on which the ends of the vertical elements engage when the truss is deployed, is characterized by the fact that these vertical elements are connected together by at least one strap which is perpendicular to them when the truss is deployed.

Abstract: A canopy structure is provided and includes a framework unit and a flexible covering. The framework unit is formed by a plurality of upright corner members and a plurality of roof support members that are pivotally connected at the top ends of the corner members and, in an erected position, extend upwardly and inwardly to a central apex where they are pivotally connected to one another. The roof support members are formed of extendable sections which preferably telescope with respect to one another so that the framework unit may move into a collapsed state with the corner support and roof support members oriented in closely spaced, parallel relation. Latches are provided to prevent the framework unit from collapsing from the erected position. Constraining and support structure, preferably in the form of scissor assemblies, interconnect adjacent corner support members to prevent them from moving apart past the erect state.

Abstract: A pair of self-supporting exhibit frames formed of a plurality of pairs of crossed rods are constructed so as to be moved between a collapsed position at which the rods are disposed in a compact bundle of side-by-side rods and an erected position at which each exhibit frame includes a lateral upstanding side defined by at least two crossed rods disposed in a generally X-shaped pattern, the exhibit frames being positioned with their lateral upstanding sides immediately adjacent each other and with the X-shaped rods aligned, and at least one bracket spanning the lateral upstanding sides, the bracket including at least two slots and preferably four slots disposed with one pair of slots along each of two side edges of the bracket, and the slots being sized to snugly frictionally grippingly engage the X-shaped rod to thereby maintain the exhibit frames locked together in adjacent upstanding relationship.

Abstract: An elevating apparatus including a base, a platform, at least a pair of pivotally interconnected boom assemblies connecting the base and the platform together, the pair of boom assemblies including a pair of hollow middle booms pivotally interconnected substantially centrally thereof by a shaft, and upper and lower booms telescopically disposed in each of the middle booms and movable out of upper and lower ends of the middle booms, the lower booms having ends pivotally mounted on the base in spaced relation and the upper booms having ends pivotally mounted on the platform in spaced relation, each of the boom assemblies including a synchronizer for synchronizing intervals of extension of the upper and lower booms from the middle boom, a pair of hydraulic mechanisms operatively coupled between the shaft and the base at spaced locations thereon for moving the middle booms to displace the upper and lower booms into and out of the middle booms to lift and lower the platform, and a controller for selectively contro

Abstract: A collapsible building construction system and method for erecting the same in which a plurality of horizontally disposed floor slabs are adapted to stack one on top of the other in a collapsed storage position. Pivotal columns connect the horizontally disposed floor slabs and provide for a scizzor-like movement between the floor slabs and the pivotal columns. The floor slabs assume a spaced parallel relationship with each other when opened. Room dividers are added to the structure after it is unfolded. Collapsible stairway structures provide access between floor. A series of collapsible building structures can be erected adjacent to each other to construct an entire facility. The collapsible building construction system is particularly well adapted for temporary building structures such as temporary living quarters, hospitals and classrooms.

Abstract: A portable shelter framework is formed by a series of end-interconnected modules, each defining a separate arch portion of the framework extending in different directions relative to each other. Each module is formed of elongate struts capable of being expanded into arched three dimensional form and collapsed into bundled form.

Abstract: An expandable multi-purpose utility shelter (10), designed in several sizes, which is quickly erectable by two to six persons, depending upon the size of the shelter. The structure has a sturdy metal frame (12, 16) with a durable fabric cover attached to the inside of the frame. The frame (12, 16) comprises a series of ribs (12) which can be very quickly and easily extended from a compact folded configuration needed for easy transportation to a full-size shelter at erection. Adjacent ribs (12) are connected by a single reinforcing member (16) or by X-shaped reinforcing members (16a) on each side of the shelter. These reinforcing members serve as force transmitting means for opening and closing the shelter (10) and keeping adjacent ribs (12) stabilized and spaced equidistant. Individual reinforcing members are pivotally connected to the lower portion of one shelter leg and rollably or slideably connected to the upper portion of a next adjacent shelter leg.

Abstract: A collapsible lightweight exhibit panel is composed of mainly square units of pivotally connected rods, each unit being formed as a box-like frame having two opposed mainly parallel and flat vertical unit surfaces for the arrangement of posters, and horizontal and vertical side faces (1-4) defined by two rods (1a, 1b . . . 4a, 4b) pivotally connected in a scissor-like manner, the ends of said rods being pivotally connected with corner joints (5-8, 9-12) located at the unit surfaces. A central joint (13) in the unit is connected with four corner joints (9-12) at one unit face through diagonally extending rods (14-17), which are pivotally connected with diagonal rods (22-25) to the corner joints (5-8) at the opposite unit face. Corner joints at one unit face are connected in a similar way with central joints in one or more adjacent units and a releasable locking device (27) is provided between the one pair of opposed corner joints (8, 12) to form a connection in the erected condition of the panel.

Abstract: A support and attachment brace for a collapsible display panel structure having hub assemblies with outwardly facing fastening buttons thereon, including an elongated rigid bar or brace with top and bottom ends each being adapted for releasably interconnecting with one of a pair of confronting vertically aligned fastening buttons. A magnetic strip along the length of the brace provides a means for releasably attaching a sheet of material to the brace to cover the panel structure or display a graphic representation. A plurality of vertically aligned slots in the brace are adapted for releasably attaching shelving or other panel structure accessories to the structure.

Abstract: Framework truss with changeable cantilever length, comprising an articulated grid structure which is hingedly secured at two fixed points against a wall or any other carrier element. Said framework truss is characterized in that at least two articulated grid panels are joined together having the shape of a parallelogram and projecting in the cantilever direction (L) from two fixed articulation points (A, B) situated at a certain interval (h) from each other. The articulated grid panels are comprised of parallel articulated bars (21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26), as well as coupling rods (31, 32, 33) connecting them by pairs from their ends between the articulation points (C1, D1; C2, D2; C3, D3) and of which the length remains always equal to the interval (h) separating the fixed articulation points (A, B).

Abstract: A theatrical stage, comprising a plurality of side-by-side, screw-operated shearlegs tables, each such table having its own operating mechanism connected to the operating vertical screw. The screw is pivotally connected to the shearlegs members by dual transmission members, by which movement of the table platform is made almost linear in relation to the rotation of the screw. The vertical movement of the platform of the shearlegs tables is synchronized by employing as operating mechanism, electro-hydraulic step motors for each table, with a brake mounted on each screw for arresting rotary motion of the step motor.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a clip for securing together adjacent collapsible, expandable, self-locking, self-supporting structures which include a plurality of pairs of crossed rod elements pivotally joined in scissored fashion to each other and to hubs having openings therein, the structures having at least one hub of each section adjacent each other, and the clip having at least two stems with each stem being interlockingly received in an associated opening of the adjacent hubs to thereby secure the structures to each other in any one of a plurality of different configurations.

Abstract: A flame deflecting device that comprises a fire resistant lamina and a protective casing mountable on a building exterior in rows above windows. Each device has a width greater than the window below. When mounted on a building, the device does not extend vertically by more than three feet (0.9 m). When activated on the occurrence of fire, the flame resistant lamina is released and extended substantially horizontally from the building exterior, thereby deflecting flames, smoke and hot gases escaping from below.

Abstract: A transportable pantograph truss bridge structure. The pantograph truss is in the form of an inverted triangle with deck sections incorporating gratings utilized as parallel tracks for wheeled vehicles. The bridge is suitable for rapid deployment in military applications and is portable on a wheeled trailer including erecting masts, cables, and winches. The pantograph truss is formed of sealed tubular elements, so as to be neutrally buoyant. The deck panels are formed in sections with grating formed of metal or of resin impregnated Fiberglas, carbon filaments or the like.

Abstract: A quick-erect collapsible shelter having four or more telescoping legs, connected by a framework which includes pluralities of X-shaped linkages and a slider on each leg to provide interconnecting truss between the legs and support for a covering canopy.

Abstract: A geodesic frame assembly and method of making a frame assembly with a plurality of identical hub assemblies interconnected with flexible struts. The hub assemblies have rotatable members connected to ends of the struts. The struts are attached to the members along chord lines so the members rotated during erection of the frame assembly. A cable operably connected to a winch cooperates with outer hub assemblies to erect the frame assembly and hold the frame assembly in the erected configuration.

Abstract: A collapsible lightweight exhibit panel is composed of mainly square units of pivotally connected rods, each unit being formed as a box-like frame having two opposed mainly parallel and flat vertical unit surfaces for the arrangement of posters, and horizontal and vertical side faces defined by two rods pivotally connected in a scissor-like manner, the ends of said rods being pivotally connected with corner joints located at the unit surfaces. A central joint in the unit is connected with four corner joints at one unit face through diagonally extending rods which are pivotally connected with diagonal rods to the corner joints at the opposite unit face. Corner joints at one unit face are connected in a similar way with central joints in one or more adjacent units and a releasable locking device is provided between one pair of opposed corner joints to form a connection in the erected condition of the panel.

Abstract: A collapsible-expandable lattice structure is described comprising a plurality of slats arranged in two panels. Each panel consists of first and second sets of parallel slats, the first set being arranged over and intersecting relative to the second set. Means is provided pivotally connecting slats of the first set to slats of the second set to form parallelogram linkages, the slats of one panel being located intermediate slats of the other panel, the first and second sets of one panel being parallel relative to the first and second sets of the other panel, respectively. Means is further provided for pivotally interconnecting slats of one panel to slats of the other to maintain a fixed pivotal relationship between slats of both panels.

Abstract: A platform trestle adapted for assembly or disassembly with similar platform trestles to form stages for public events is provided with an upper platform, an upper and a lower frame, and four scissor members, the platform trestle being manually adjustable as to height. All of the scissors are arranged side by side and respectively two of the scissors by pairs of respectively an outer and an inner scissor member at the longitudinal sides of the platform. Moreover the legs and the arms of the outer and of the inner scissors are strutted by cross bracings so that the platform trestle is very stable, but still portable by two persons and is adjustable at a maximum height just under the length of its platform.

Abstract: A substructure for an oil derrick comprising a base frame, a top frame and an intermediate bifurcated support frame consisting of a pair of horizontally extending traveling frames. A linkage network of swingable leg members intercouples the base, traveling and top frames for movement in parallelism between collapsed and elevated conditions of the substructure. In the collapsed mode the frame members are positioned in an adjacent relationship for presenting a low profile to a flatbed truck which allows a portable oil rig to be easily shifted onto the top frame and into alignment with the oil wellhead therebelow. A block and tackle assembly operably engages the traveling frames and is coupled to the derrick hook carried by the traveling block of the oil derrick. Upon operation of the latter the swingably mounted traveling frames move towards each other causing an elevation of the top frame so as to present a working space between the elevated oil derrick and oil wellhead.

Abstract: Apparatus for covering relatively wider building structure expansion voids which includes a cover panel, base member extrusions for opposite side support and a lazy tong centering assembly for both supportive attachment to the cover panel and maintaining proper alignment and relative positioning to said void in tolerance of orthogonal relative displacements between adjacent structures.

Abstract: In an extensible arm having a reticular lattice structure with a polygonal cross-section, particularly for space modules or vehicles, each longitudinal side of the lattice structure includes first and second kinematic pantograph chains each constituted by a plurality of rods articulated together so as to define a series of aligned X-shaped elements. The rods of the second kinematic chain are shorter than the rods of the first kinematic chain, and the articulations between the X-shaped elements of the second kinematic chain located on one side of the latter coincide with the articulations between the X-shaped elements of the first kinematic chain located on the same side.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises means for pivotally attaching one end of a link means to the structure, means for pivotally attaching the other end of the link means to the beam at a point distal from the structure, and means for supplying a compressing force to the beam intermediate the ends of the link means, the compressing force responsive to relative motion between the beam and the structure.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a clip for securing together adjacent collapsible, expandable, self-locking, self-supporting structures which include a plurality of pairs of crossed rod elements pivotally joined in scissored fashion to each other and to hubs having openings therein, the structures having at least one hub of each section adjacent each other, and the clip having at least two stems with each stem being interlockingly received in an associated opening of the adjacent hubs to thereby secure the structures to each other in any one of a plurality of different configurations.

Abstract: A display frame is formed by a number of collapsible, articulated structural sections movable between a stable erect configuration and a collapsed configuration. Four pairs of scissored links are connected to exterior pivots at their ends to form the exterior of each structural section, and the interior is formed by a pair of face pivots and four pairs of crossed, but unconnected, face links, each pivotally connected at one end to a face pivot. A through-extending opening is provided in one face pivot, and a locking component is associated with the other face pivot. One of the structural sections of the frame has as the locking component a cam follower member which during movement of the face pivots towards each other is cammed by a linear cam associated with the through-extending opening, and then snaps to lock in place.

Abstract: A collapsible, portable display frame may be erected so that it has either a planar or non-planar face surface. Snap fasteners associated with pivot bodies on the face surface cooperate with stabilizing strips or graphics. Graphics may be easily hung in sheets which cover an entire column of structural units of the display frame, and magnetic strips hold the sheets in alignment along their edges.

Abstract: A collapsable, articulated wall structure is formed from pivotally interconnected links. In an erected configuration, the wall has a generally planar face which is suitable for hanging display posters. In a collapsed configuration, the wall folds into a compact bundle of generally parallel links. The wall is comprised of a plurality of rectangular parallelpiped sections. Each section has a first plurality of pivots in the four corners defining a face of the section and a second plurality of pivots on the other four corners of the section. The first plurality of pivots is connected with the second plurality of pivots by a plurality of side links which are pivotally interconnected in an X-shaped arrangement. Displaced slightly inward from the face plane is a face pivot which is connected to the first plurality of pivots by four face links. The section is releasably locked in its erected configuration by a locking link.

Abstract: A portable shelter framework is formed by a series of end-interconnected modules, each defining a separate arch portion of the framework extending in different directions relative to each other. Each module is formed of elongate struts capable of being expanded into arched three dimensional form and collapsed into bundled form.