Display board system

• US 7,325,343 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2002
• Issued: 02/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
• Inventors: Miller, Scott Michael, Vale, Alan Michael, Seiber, Charles Anthony, Macdonald, Peter Scott, Arko, Robert Peter, Mauer, Alan Fredrick, Takayama, Steven Ryutaro
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller; William L.
• Application Number:
  US10/094,395
• Publication Number:
  US 20020095840A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,160 Days
• Field of Search: 406/060.1, 406/060.2, 406/060.13, 406/111.2, 248/441.1, 248451-453
• US Class Current: 40/606.02
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/00 Boards, hoardings, pillars, or like structures for notices, placards, posters, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0012 frames therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0056 portable display standards
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0062 collapsible
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0087 including movable parts, e.g. movable by the wind
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/18 Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure

Abstract

An apparatus configured to allow the retention of at least one display board with a mounting structure is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a retaining system. A portion of the retaining system is deformable to retain at least one display board in a press-in, interference engagement. The apparatus may also include a mounting structure such as an easel. An apparatus for use with one or more display boards is also disclosed. The apparatus comprises a mounting structure including a base and a first panel coupled to the base. The first panel is configured to support the one or more display boards and to be selectively movable between a first position and a second position.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

at least one display board;

a mounting structure comprising a base and a first panel, the base comprising a set of wheels and a storage area configured to store the at least one display board in a substantially vertical orientation;

a retaining system supported by the first panel comprising a first member comprising a compliant element, and a second member;

wherein the compliant element is at least partially deformable to retain the at least one display board in an interference fit engagement between the first member and the second member in a space that is completely separate from the storage area.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second member is at least partially deformable.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the compliant element of the first member comprises a plurality of deformable projections configured to retain the at least one display board.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the projections extend transversely from the first member.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the projections extend radially from the first member.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the projections extend axially from the first member.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a plurality of the display boards and wherein the first member is dimensioned to retain the plurality of display boards.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first panel is selectively movable between a first position and a second position.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first position comprises a first height and the second position comprises a second height.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one display board includes a rigid core.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one display board includes a rigid and substantially flat first surface.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the at least one display board includes a rigid and substantially flat second surface that faces in the direction opposite the first surface.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein each of the first and second surfaces include a writable-erasable surface.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first member and second member are positioned so that the at least one display board is mountable in one of a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the compliant element of the first member comprises at least partially an elastomeric or plastic material.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the compliant element of the first member comprises a grip that provides a holding force that may be adjusted.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the holding force may be adjusted by variations in the shape of the grip.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first panel is selectively movable between a first position with respect to the base and a second position with respect to the base.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the first position comprises a first height with respect to the base and the second position comprises a second height with respect to the base.

20. A mounting apparatus for presenting information to an audience within a space, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality of display boards for presenting information within the space;

a mounting structure comprising a base and a first panel, the base comprising a set of wheels and forming a storage area configured to simultaneously store the plurality of display boards in substantially vertical orientations;

a retaining system supported by the first panel and comprising a first member comprising a compliant element, and a second member;

wherein the compliant element is at least partially deformable to retain at least one of the display boards in an interference fit engagement between the first member and the second member.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the first member includes a substantially horizontally extending elongated member and wherein the compliant element is supported by the elongated member.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the second member includes a second substantially horizontally extending elongated member and a compliant element that is supported by the second elongated member and that includes one or more projections configured to deform when engaged with the at least one display board.

23. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the compliant element includes one or more projections configured to deform when engaged with the at least one display board.