Collapsible framework, such as a display stand, and an articulation joint for such framework

• US 6,758,354 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2002
• Issued: 07/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smart SNC Di Carletti Ottavio & C
• Original Assignee: Smart SNC Di Carletti Ottavio & C
• Inventors: Carletti, Ottavio
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROBERT W
• Application Number:
  US10/069,391
• Publication Number:
  US 20020153339A1
• Time in Patent Office: 782 Days
• Field of Search: 211/189, 211/182, 406/10, 521/09, 526/46, 403/169, 403/170, 403/171, 403/217
• US Class Current: 211/189
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0068 Modular articulated structures, e.g. stands, and articulation means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/44 Three or more members connected at single locus

Abstract

A collapsible three dimensional framework includes a plurality of tubular rods (10) connected to each other by means of articulation joints. Each of the joints consists of a block divided into two matching pieces (28, 30). The block has a plurality of cavities (18a, 18b) each of which is open on a respective side face and on a back face of the block. The ends of respective rods (10) are inserted in the cavities (18a, 18b) and are connected to the block by transverse pivot pins (24). Each of the cavities has articulation seats (32) which received the pivot pins (24) When the two pieces (28, 30) of the block are secured to each other, the pivot pins (24) are entrapped in respective seats (32). The two pieces (28, 30) of the block are clamped together by releasable fastening means such as a screw (40) and a nut (42).

Claims

1. A collapsible three-dimensional framework, such as a display stand, including a plurality of tubular rods (10) connected to each other by means of articulation joints, each of which joints consists of a block (12) of a substantially parallelepipedal shape which has a plurality of cavities (18) each of which is open on a respective side face (20) and on a back face (22) of the block (12), and in which cavities there are inserted the ends of respective rods (10) which are connected to the block (12) by transverse pivot pins (24), fastened to the rods (10), extend from the rods in diametrically opposite positions and are engaged in respective articulation seats (32) formed in the block (12) and open to the corresponding cavities (18) in opposite lateral positions, in that the block (12) is subdivided into two piecess (28, 30) which match with each other according to a separation plane which is parallel to its back face (22) and located in correspondence with the articulation seats (32) each of which are located in only one of the two pieces, and in that two pieces (28, 30) of the block (12) are secured to each other by relaesable fastening means (40, 42) in such a manner as to allow the insertion of the pivot pins (24) with a movement substantially perpendicular to the separation plane when the two pieces (28, 30) of the block (12) are separate and to entrap the pivot pins (24) in the seats (32) when these two pieces are joined to each other.

2. A framework according to claim 1, characterized in that the transverse pivot pins (24) of the rods (10) are constituted by resilient tubular split dowels which are driven in diametrically opposite holes (26) of the rods.

3. A framework according to claim 1, characterized in that the said releasable fastening means are constituted by a clamping screw (40) which extends centrally in the two pieces (28, 30) of the block (12), perpendicularly to its separation plane, and to which a nut (42) is associated.

4. A framework according to claim 3, characterized in that at least two opposite blocks (12) have a spacer tubular rod (14) associated thereto, in that the screws (40a) of said blocks (12) extend in the corresponding ends of the spacer rod (14), and in that internally threaded bushings (54) are driven in said ends and are associated in the manner of nuts to said screws (40a).

5. A framework according to claim 4, characterized in that the spacer tubular rods (14) are in two sections (44, 46), each of which is secured to a respective block (12) and whose ends remote from the corresponding sections are provided with mutual coupling means (48, 50).

6. A framework according to claim 1, wherein the articulation seats are in the form of recesses which are open both to the corresponding cavities (18) and on a face (34) of the said piece of the block (12) which coincides with the separation plane, and in that the other piece (30) of the block (12) has, in the separation plane, flat surfaces (36) which close the outlets of the recesses (32) in the said plane to entrap the pivot pins (24) of rods (10).

7. A framework according to claim 6, characterized in that the piece of the block (12) which contains the recesses (32) which receive the pivot pins (24) is the piece (28) opposite to that which has the back face (22) and has, in the direction perpendicular to that of the separation plane, a relatively great thickness, while the other piece (30) of the block (12) has a relatively small thickness.

8. A framework according to claim 1, characterized in that the block (12) has, at least on its front face (56) remote from its back face (22) at least one profiled peg or button (58, 58a) to which accessories can be fixed.

9. A framework according to claim 8, characterized in that the block (12) has, at least on one of its side faces (20), at least one profiled peg or button (80) to which accessories can be affixed.

10. A framework according to claim 8, characterized in that the profiled pegs or buttons (58, 58a, 80) are constituted by pieces distinct from the corresponding piece (28) of the block (12) and which have foot portions (60, 82), and in that such piece (28) of the block (12) has corresponding seats (62, 78) into which the foot pieces can be fitted.

11. A framework according to claim 10, characterized in that the foot portions (60) include a first cylindrical section (64) of a greater diameter from which there extends a second resilient tubular cylindrical section (66) of a smaller diameter which ends with an annular outer rim (68), and in that the corresponding seats (62) have a first cylindrical section (70) of a greater diameter to receive the said first section (64) of the foot portion (60) and a second cylindrical (72) of a smaller diameter to receive the second section (66) of the foot portion (60), which second section (66) extends through a wall (74) of the block piece (28), the arrangement being such that said rim (68), when the foot portion (60) is pushed home, is snap engaged around the inner mouth of the second section (72).

12. A framework according to claim 8, characterized in that the pegs (58) have recessed portions, and the framework includes support slats (16) which have end pieces (86) provided with hook-shaped formations (88) which embrace with a snap fit the recessed potions of the pegs (58).

13. An articulation joint in the form of a block for a collapsible three-dimensional framework, such as a display stand, the framework including a plurality of tubular rods (10) connected to each other by means of articulation joints, wherein the joint consists of a block (12) of a substantially parallelepipedal shape which has a plurality of cavities (18) each of which is open on a respective side face (20) and on a back face (22) of the block (12), which cavities are adapted to the insertion of the ends of respective rods (10) of the framework which are adapted to be connected to the block (12) by transverse pivot pins (24) which extend from the rods in diametrically opposite positions,

wherein the block (12) has articulation seats (32) formed therein and open to corresponding cavities (18) in opposite lateral positions to receive transverse pivot pins (24) which extend from the rods (10) in diametrically opposite positions, in that the block (12) is subdivided into two pieces (28, 30) which match with each other according to a separation plane which is parallel to its back face (22) and located in correspondence with the articulation seats (32) which are formed in only one of the two pieces of the block, and in that the two pieces (28, 30) of the block (12) are secured to each other by releasable fastening means (40, 42) in such a manner as to allow the insertion of the pivot pins (24) with a movement substantially perpendicular to the separation plane when the two pieces (28, 30) of the block (12) are separate and to entrap the pivot pins (24) in the seats (32) when these two pieces are joined to each other.

14. An articulation joint according to claim 13, characterized in that the said releasable fastening means are constituted by a clamping screw (40) which extends centrally in the two pieces (28, 30) of the block (12), perpendicularly to its separation plane, and to which a nut (42) is associated.

15. A framework according to claim 13, wherein the articulation seats are in the form of recesses which are open both to the corresponding cavities (18) and on a face (34) of the said piece of the block (12) which coincides with the separation plane, and in that the other piece (30) of the block (12) has, in the separation plane, flat surfaces (36) which close the outlets of the recesses (32) in the said plane to entrap the pivot pins (24) of rods (10).

16. An articulation joint according to claim 15, characterized in that the piece of the block (12) which contains the recesses (32) which receive the pivot pins (24) is the piece (28) opposite to that which has the back face (22) and has, in the direction perpendicular to that of the separation plane, a relatively great thickness, while the other piece (30) of the block (12) has a relatively small thickness.

17. An articulation joint according to claim 13, characterized in that the block (12) has, at least on its front face (56) remote from its back face (22), at least one profiled peg or button (58, 58a) to which accessories can be fixed.

18. An articulation joint according to claim 17, characterized in that the block (12) has, at least on one of its side faces (20), at least one profiled peg or button (80) to which accessories can be affixed.

19. An articulation joint according to claim 13, characterized in that the block (12) has, at least on its front face (56) remote from its back face (22), at least one profiled peg or button (58, 58a) to which accessories can be fitted.

20. An articulation joint according to claim 19, characterized in that the foot portions (60) include a first cylindrical section (64) of a greater diameter from which there extends a second resilient tubular cylindrical section (66) of a smaller diameter which ends with an annular outer rim (68), and in that the corresponding seats (62) have a first cylindrical section (70) of a greater diameter to receive the said first section (64) of the foot portion (60) and a second cylindrical (72) of a smaller diameter to receive the second section (66) of the foot portion (60), which second section (66) extends through a wall (74) of the block piece (28), the arrangement being such that said rim (68), when the foot portion (60) is pushed home, is snap engaged around the inner mouth of the second section (72).