Collapsible showcase for retail/trade show use

• US 5,664,854 A
• Filed: 03/22/1996
• Issued: 09/09/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald C. Letch
• Original Assignee: Ronald C. Letch
• Inventors: Letch, Ronald C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILKENS, JANET MARIE
• Application Number:
  US08/620,934
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 312/258, 312/262, 312/114, 312/128, 312/136, 312/132, 312/133, 312/290, 312/126, 312/135
• US Class Current: 312/262
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 43/00 Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features enabling folding of the cabinet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/004 adjustable, foldable or easily dismountable

Abstract

A collapsible showcase has a rear panel, top panel, front panel, floor panel and two pairs of side panels. These panels are hinged in such a manner as to allow the top panel to fold back and hang parallel to the rear panel, the floor panel to fold up parallel to the front panel, the pairs of side panels to fold inward, drawing the front panel and rear panel together to achieve a collapsed configuration. A means for support for at least one shelf is attached inside the showcase and is rotated 90° out of the way in the collapsed configuration. An access to the interior is provided through the rear of the showcase. The top panel can be secured in position in the assembled configuration.

Claims

1. A collapsible showcase comprising:

(a) a rear panel, a top panel, two pairs of side panels, a floor panel, a front panel;

(b) said top panel connected by hinge means to said rear panel, allowing at least 270°

rotation of said top panel with respect to said rear panel;

(c) said floor panel comprising a hinge means connecting said floor panel to said front panel, allowing at least 90°

rotation of said floor panel with respect to said front panel;

(d) said pairs of side panels comprising a hinge means to connect said pairs of side panels to each other respectively and connecting said side panels to said rear panel and to said front panel allowing said side panels to fold inward so that said rear panel and said front panel move toward each other;

(e) said rear panel comprising a means to provide access to the interior of said collapsible showcase; and

,

(f) said rear panel further comprising a device for supporting optional shelves inside said collapsible showcase.

2. The collapsible showcase of claim 1 wherein said floor panel has a predetermined tight fit between said floor panel and said pairs of side panels.

3. The collapsible showcase of claim 1 whereby said device for supporting an optional shelf can be pivoted at least 90°

from a position perpendicular to said rear panel to a position essentially parallel to said rear panel.

4. The collapsible showcase of claim 1 whereby said hinge means connecting said pairs of side panels restrict motion of said side panels to 180°

rotation with respect to each other.

5. The collapsible showcase of claim 1 whereby said top panel comprises a means of securing said top panel to some part of the interior of said collapsible showcase.

6. The collapsible showcase of claim 1 whereby said rear panel further comprises a means of support for said floor panel when said floor panel is in the horizontal position.