Abstract: A portable display system having a plurality of truss members and a plurality of connection structures for interconnecting the plurality of truss members to form the display structure. Each of the plurality of truss members include at least a pair of brace members, each brace member having a pair of spaced apart, generally parallel frame tubular members rigidly and non-rotatably interconnected by a plurality of fixed wire members. Each tubular member includes a contiguous exterior surface, and each of said plurality of fixed wire members are secured to both contiguous exterior surfaces of the tubular members. A pair of pivoting wire member are each pivotally secured to both brace members, so that each of the plurality of truss members are capable of being placed in a deployed condition from a flattened condition by pivoting the first and second pivoting wire members relative to the first and second brace members.

Abstract: A module panel for use in constructing different configurations of module assemblies. The module panel has an outer frame and a central core. The frame has outer shell and hollow interior. The frame has a plurality of frame members connected by frame connection member and a plurality of connector holes for inserting connection members for like connecting panels to construct a module assembly.Connection members are anchored to the frame via connector fastener members which have a connector cavity. The connector fastener members are inserted into the frame through an opening and moved within the frame to align the connector cavity with a desired connection hole for insertion of a connector member. The connector member is secured relative to the frame within the connector cavity for connecting module panels. Connector members may also be received within the frame connection members at the corners of two adjoining frame members.

Abstract: A panel fastener and space frame hub adapted for releasably holding panel sections in place against the space frame hub. The space frame hub has threadable connections for receiving space frame struts so as to permit the construction of a frame of any desired shape or size. Each panel section used with the invention has respective panel brackets at each of its corners, the panel brackets being complementary shaped to engage with a rotatable keyed plate on the fastener. They Keyed plate may be rotated to align a key cutout with a complementary shaped key in the respective panel brackets and may then be rotated to lock the panel bracket in place against the keyed plate.

Abstract: A spherical grid for constructing geodesic spheres and portions of spheres. The grid includes a plurality of links interconnecting with a plurality of hubs arranged in a geodesic configuration. The hubs have a cylindrical shape with top and bottom planar surfaces and five or six attachment positions equally spaced around the hub. Each attachment position has radially-extending holes equally spaced around the hub. The links have square recessed ends which engage with the hubs at each attachment position. An insert member affixed inside each end cooperates with a screw extending from inside the hub, through the hub into the recessed end to connect each end to the respective attachment position on the hub. Each recessed end of the links having an upper wall with an interior surface, a lower wall with an interior surface and sidewalls with vertical edges.

Abstract: An elevator apparatus for providing an elevated support structure. The apparatus is comprised of a base unit, a plurality of tower sections, and an elevating device. The tower sections may be individually inserted into the base unit where the elevating device operates to raise the base unit whereby an additional tower section may be inserted and connected to the previous tower section. The elevating device is then lowered to the just inserted tower section and repetition of the sequence affects an erection of the tower. Outrigger legs with pads extend from the base unit to provide vertical stability. Guy lines extend from the tower to the ends of the outrigger legs to a winch arrangement within the base unit permitting guy lines to remain taught during the raising or lowering of the tower. Further, ballast containers are provided at the base unit intermediate adjacent outrigger legs for providing additional stability against tip-over.

Abstract: A frame assembly for a display structure formed of a plurality of tubular support members joined end to end. An elastic cord is permanently connected in and winds its way through the tubular support members so that the support members are joinable in only one predefined arrangement to facilitate set up of the frame assembly. Some of the end-to-end connections include key and keyhole connections with apertured keys through which the elastic cord extends.

Abstract: A graphic display panel system formed in sections, wherein a graphic display image may be affixed to each section, the sections respectively having transparent edge caps and/or hinge connectors and/or locking pin assemblies for selectively interconnecting the sections to form an overall surface. The individual panel sections may be formed of a lightweight honeycomb structure or spaced apart plastic sheets.

Abstract: An interlocking panel system having individual thin-walled sections, each section being supported by a rectangular frame formed of edge strip material. Each edge strip is constructed with an outwardly facing interlocking channel, to permit interlocking engagement of hinges and other connectors. The system includes a flexible hinge assembly which has outer edges shaped to slidably engage into the edge strips, and locking levers for indexing and affixing the respective flexible hinges in locked relationship to the panel sections. The edge strips also have selectively positioned locating holes and a slidable bar is movable into position along the edge strips, to permit the attachment of locating pins and feet for the various panel sections.

Abstract: A lightweight portable display support incorporating a display panel, including two vertical support columns, each column formed of two sections of elongated flexible material, typically plastic, wherein one section of material has a width dimension larger than the second section of material, both sections of material having an attachment device extending along their respective elongate edges to cause the wider section of material to bow outwardly when attached to the narrower section, and including an overhead horizontal beam supported between the two vertical support columns, the beam being constructed substantially the same as the respective vertical columns.

Abstract: A lightweight knockdown table and cabinet structure adapted for ease of assembly and disassembly comprised of a plurality of hollow tubular frame members releasably interconnected by a plurality of fasteners and lock assemblies and having a multi-sectioned top which adds rigidity and support to the structure. The fastener and lock assemblies each include a fastening device with multiple end connectors. The fastening devices are slidably insertable into the frame members and have a guide slot bridging into a locking slot. The end connectors are also insertable into the frame members and have a projecting male connector end. The male connector end is insertable into the guide slot and movable into locking engagement within the locking slot to releasably interlock the frame members together at right angles. The multi-sectioned top includes adjacent middle and side sections with support flanges which rest upon opposing frame members.

Abstract: A fastening device for use in support structures wherein the fastening of support members is accomplished by slidably inserting end connectors into slotted fastening devices to produce a final locking fit between the support members and the fastening device. A keyed screw which holds the fastening device and support member in an intermediate locking position to aid in the overall assembly of the support structure.

Abstract: A box-like display header that is foldable to a flat orientation for transportation and storage. The header is mountable to an upper portion of a display frame and may include a fluorescent lamp to illuminate the display frame or provide a back lighting for various graphic symbols which may be imprinted on the display header.

Abstract: A first reflexively collapsible support and attachment structure for use in portable self-supporting frames for display panels, walls, podiums and tables. A horizontal elongate foot having front and back ends forms the base. Connected to the front end of the foot is a first brace adapted to swing to an inclined position. A biased support strut is provided between the foot and the first brace. The support strut is slidably collapsible and supports the first brace in the inclined position. Second and subsequent braces are interlockingly hinged such as to swing to generally vertical positions. Aligned in parallel fashion is a second like reflexively collapsible structure. The first and second structures are interconnected by at least two horizontal connecting rods. Display panels or sheets are connected between the first and second structures.

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: A hub assembly for pivotally holding the ends of the column-like support rods which make up the skeletal frame of a collapsible, self-supporting structure, comprising extension caps for the ends of the support rods, a circular hub body with retaining slots or sockets which receive and pivotally hold the ends of the extension caps and a circular locking disk which releasably interlocks with the hub body to retain the ends of the extension caps in pivotal relationship within the hub body.

Abstract: Frame means for releasably retaining and exhibiting objects upon a display surface, with the frame means including angularly disposed edge members releasably secured together with corner members and with mounting brackets releasably secured to the edge members for temporarily mounting the frame means upon a display surface. The edge members include a generally "E" shaped member having a back with three fingers extending therefrom including inner, outer and intermediate fingers, and with the outer and intermediate fingers forming a partially enclosed channel therebetween. The corner members include a central arcuate segment with interlocking tabs extending from each end of the arcuate segment. The tabs include a segment of reduced thickness for engagement with the edge members in the partially enclosed channel. The mounting brackets are in the form of a generally open bilateral triangle with two elongated legs joined together at the apex.

Abstract: A collapsible shelter structure having a pair of collapsible frame members disposed at opposed ends thereof for supporting panel means which extend therebetween, wherein the collapsible frame means include a braced lazy-tong structure which is designed to maintain the frames in erect disposition, and wherein bracing strut means are pivotally coupled to alternate outer apices of the lazy-tong structure for rendering the frame means both stable and rigid. To further enhance rigidity of the erect structure, the inner apices are normally formed as a straight angle when the shelter structure is in erect form, with these inner apices forming a series of spaced points along a semicircle of fixed radius. The collapsible shelter means may be taken down and stored in collapsed form when desired, with generally rigid or durable base side panels being provided to protect the structure from inadvertent damage during use and during storage.

Abstract: A collapsible shelter structure having a pair of collapsible frame members disposed at opposed ends thereof for supporting panel means which extend therebetween, wherein the collapsible frame means include a braced lazy-tong structure which is designed to maintain the frames in erect disposition, and wherein bracing strut means are pivotally coupled to alternate outer apices of the lazy-tong structure for rendering the frame means both stable and rigid. To further enhance rigidity of the erect structure, the inner apices are normally formed as a straight angle when the shelter structure is in erect form, with these inner apices forming a series of spaced points along a semicircle of fixed radius. The collapsible shelter means may be taken down and stored in collapsed form when desired, with generally rigid or durable base side panels being provided to protect the structure from inadvertent damage during use and during storage.